Reverence

I was never overly familiar with the word reverence. When my children began at a Rudolf Steiner kindergarten and school, and I later completed my Certificate in Rudolf Steiner Education, I started seeing this word often. It took me some time to really sit with it — to not just understand its definition, but to feel its meaning.

One of Rudolf Steiner’s well-known quotes is, “Receive the child in reverence, educate them in love, and send them forth in freedom.”

Every time I read this, I get chills.

So what does it mean to receive a child in reverence?

To me, reverence is a deep respect. It’s the recognition that every human being, and every child, arrives on this Earth with a purpose. Each of us carries unique gifts and a calling to serve the world in our own way.

When we look at children through this lens — whether as parents, teachers, or caregivers — we begin to ask different questions. Not, “How do I get this child to behave?” but rather, “Who are you? What are you here to bring into the world? And what work do I need to do within myself to truly see you, and support you?”

Becoming a teacher or parent is a journey. The word reverence can become a grounding thread through both — a reminder in those moments when we feel stretched thin, irritated, disrespected, or worn out. When we lose our footing, reverence can gently bring us back to centre.

Because to hold reverence for a child, we must first begin the inner work — self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-development. A teacher may learn all the materials, or a parent may know all the strategies, but without inner work, the essence of reverence is lost.

So what’s the first step?

It’s to pause.
To take a breath before reacting.
To look at your child — really look — and ask yourself, “Can I see the light in you right now, even beneath the behaviour?”

That pause is the beginning of reverence.