Primary Math for Feet and Hands
Term 3 online course – updated information to come shortly
This course aims to equip teachers with visible and tactile methods for the development of primary maths. As an example of the classroom teaching method, the teacher guides the children through phases of visible picture-making to memory and mental picture to concept. This addresses the need of all children to inwardly picture number-relationships, and especially the needs of those who struggle to do this. An understanding of this approach enables teachers to create their own techniques.
The insight and pedagogical advice of Rudolf Steiner informs the course. This includes his descriptions of how the lower senses–of life, movement and balance–are at work in a child’s computation and understanding of arithmetic. The tutor will include important indications on what, in the developing child, the arithmetic arises from. The course also covers examples of classroom teaching method.
Participants gain a kit bag of illustrated materials and resources and multi-sensory methods through doing the practical tasks.
Week 1 – more information available shortly
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Practical Information
Term 3, 2026: Week of 13 July to week of 25 August. Dates to be announced.
7.00pm – 9.00pm
All sessions will be recorded and recordings made available until the end of the term.
Gordon Woolard
Gordon has been a valued tutor with the Seminar, offering courses in Projective Geometry, Early Childhood, and Sensory Integration. His training include university Physics, the Foundation and Education years at Emerson College, the Wynstones Science Teachers’ course, the Michael Hall Kindergarten training, Joinery and Cabinet Making, a post graduate teaching diploma for SpLD (Dyslexia) and Audrey McAllen’s Extra Lesson training.
On a quest for the roots of arithmetic, he tries to unravel the lower senses’ developments of early childhood – as Rudolf Steiner indicated – and its application to the understanding of maths. Added to this is his experience as teacher, educator and Extra Lesson practitioner for children of all ages.
He applies the Extra Lesson methods to help children who struggle with literacy, numeracy, the school environment and the spatial world. He seeks to throw light on this work out of Rudolf Steiner’s insights on the senses.
For the past twenty years in Europe and Asia Gordon has given training to teachers working in Waldorf and in mainstream education – inspired by anthroposophy – and brings workshops that link the kindred themes of projective geometry, the Philosophy of Freedom and the observation of plants.
$480 for the term.
- If you withdraw prior to a course beginning we will refund any fees paid, less a $100 administration fee.
- If you withdraw after the first session of the course, we regret we cannot refund fees paid.
- Please email office@steinerseminar.edu.au if you intend to withdraw.
Certificate of Professional Development
Each session is live streamed and recorded. Participants will receive a Certificate of Professional Development upon completion, subject to 100% attendance (live participation or catching up on recordings).
This course does not lead to a qualification.
