All your education questions answered by Brian Mooney.

I am living in Co Clare and have two young children, for whom I have not yet selected a primary school. A friend sends her children to Raheen Wood Steiner School, and speaks very highly of its teaching methods. Do you know anything about the Steiner method of primary education?

There are more than 900 Steiner schools and 1,600 Steiner kindergartens in 60 different countries. Ireland has five Steiner schools, two of which are in Co Clare, and 17 Steiner kindergartens.

The Steiner approach is based on the work of Austrian scientist and philosopher, Rudolf Steiner, and is based on a profound respect for all of the child's development. Steiner methods seek to educate the heart, hands and head so that children are kindled by the meaning and love of what they learn.

An emphasis is placed on developing vitality through play in the early years and, as the children grow older, through practical, constructive activity such as building, woodwork, handcrafts and gardening.

Steiner schools also stress the importance of developing powers of thinking through memorisation, observation and science, writing, expression and conversation.

Steiner education is not merely the transfer of information, but involves the awakening of capacities - the ability to think clearly and critically and to empathically experience and understand the world.

The teacher (who remains with their class for a number of years) walks a path of discovery with the children and guides them into an understanding of the world of meaning, rather than the world of cause and effect.

The relationship between the teacher and the children is the key to successful learning. Specialist teachers also teach subjects such as handwork, Irish, music, gardening, etc.

For four and six-year-old children, kindergarten offers a world enriched by the rhythm of the seasons, the months and the days.

Imaginative play, simple, natural toys, song and story all support the focus of nurturing and strengthening the senses and the child's physical well-being. The kindergarten serves as a bridge between the familiar world of the home and the new world of the school.

For children aged seven to 13, each day begins with singing and movement. The main lesson, taught by the class teacher, lasts approximately two hours and includes a full range of artistic and academic activities.

A particular theme will be studied for four weeks or so to enable the class to gain a deep understanding of the subject matter. Frequent revisits to a curriculum area in ever-increasing detail bring a steadily increasing sense of understanding and achievement.

Steiner schools are multi-denominational and promote an ecumenical curriculum in which many religious festivals play a central role. A rich historical approach is taken to the major religions of the world, which helps to foster deep respect and tolerance.

Raheen Wood School near Killaloe is the founding Steiner school in the Republic and has been open since 1986. It caters for children from kindergarten age through the primary years. The school community is a cosmopolitan mix of Irish and overseas families and currently has 125 pupils.

For further information, Tel: 061-921494 or see www.raheenwood.org

Mol An Óige Steiner Primary School, Ennistymon, was founded in September 2005 by a group of parents and teachers and has 41 pupils. The current primary school curriculum, as set down by the Department of Education, is being implemented in the school using a Steiner-based approach.

The principal, Úna Ní Gháirbhith, can be contacted on 087-7408130 for enrolment queries or to arrange a visit to the school.

E-mail questions to bmooney@irish- times.ie