How to Survive... The Education System: Intuition as the Key

January 2025

Education and healthcare are facing a major challenge. And this isn't new. Everyone feels it: the system is creaking . Teachers and healthcare professionals are stuck in structures primarily focused on measurability, control, and efficiency. And while we desperately try to check off all those boxes on our lists, a gap is opening up. A chasm between who we truly are and who the system expects us to be.

We often talk about change, about reforming the system. And fortunately, there are already so many innovative projects, initiatives, and people working on this. But I believe we're now on the verge of something deeper.

The next step in this movement can only be taken if we embrace a skill that we all already possess, but are widely neglected: Intuition.

Why Intuition is Essential in Education

In my work with parents, professionals, and children, I see it time and again: intuition is often the silent force behind the most meaningful and impactful moments . It's make-or-break when it comes to connecting with children. Children often have it completely intact, which means they naturally possess a wisdom.

You may be familiar with this situation: a toddler who talks about memories from before birth, about a deceased grandpa or grandma who came to visit at night, or a child who seems to see right through you and asks pointed questions or speaks confronting truths.

There's often no room for intuition. There's a tight schedule, tangible goals to achieve, and even when the time does come, it's often too confronting to listen to. The intrinsic magic is constantly being suppressed. But do we actually realize what we're doing with it?

What effects does this have and what do we take away from a child at such a moment?

While working in youth care, I once sat in on a special needs class where the children were asking the teacher all sorts of curious questions: "How does Santa Claus fly through the air?", "Do fairies really exist?", "Does magic exist?" These were all wonderful starting points for an open conversation, but the teacher wanted to get to math as quickly as possible and dismissed them with:

"Now, guys, there's no such thing as Sinterklaas, there's no Santa Claus, and magic isn't real. Are we done with all these stupid questions?! Anyone who says anything without your permission isn't playing outside this afternoon."

I was shocked. How much do you want to suppress wonder and receptivity? And the chance to connect with these kids... Even if you think it's all nonsense, you can always have a conversation, and if it's really not convenient, put it aside for a moment. Let them know you heard it and will make time for it later. I couldn't wrap my head around it. But guess what? This kind of thing happened in that classroom all day long, every day. Unfortunately, I haven't fully grasped the reason for this, so I won't go into that now. I did see the effect on the children immediately.

The importance of intuition for healthy development

Because I work with it so much, it feels self-evident to me now. But are people aware of all the benefits of developing intuition, or rather, preserving it, in children? I'll give you a brief summary:

• More relaxation: Children experience more inner peace and calm when they act intuitively.

• Boost in self-confidence: They learn to trust their own feelings and decisions, which strengthens their self-confidence.

• Sharper memory and better cognitive functions: Because the pineal gland can function healthily and the left and right hemispheres of the brain communicate better, a stronger memory and sharper cognitive skills are created.

• Learn and process information faster: By combining the third eye with body wisdom, children can absorb and use information more efficiently.

• Process stimuli more easily: They can discharge overstimulation better and recover faster after intense experiences.

• Improved physical and mental well-being: Intuition supports both mental and physical health by bringing balance to the nervous system.

• Reduction of behavioral problems: Acting intuitively helps children to regulate emotions better, which leads to calmer behavior.

• Making choices becomes easier: Children learn more quickly to make decisions that truly suit them.

• Awareness of internal processes: They better recognise and name what is going on inside them.

• Stimulating intrinsic motivation: Intuitive children, so all children, have a natural curiosity and motivation to learn and discover.

These points are all incredibly important for a child's healthy development. Yet, intuition often remains underexposed, hidden behind rules, structures, and systems primarily focused on tangible results. Yet, it is the driving force behind many positive qualities. If we truly want to build a better future, for example, with regenerative education as a goal—education focused on life, growth, and balance for a healthy future for all—then we can no longer ignore and belittle it.

In the wise words of Rudolf Steiner: "We will only be good teachers when we have a lively interest in everything that happens in the world. It is precisely through this interest in the world that we can gain the enthusiasm we need for our school and our work. If education and training primarily require acquiring knowledge about the human being, then in practice it is primarily a matter of what attitude and soul-attitude the teacher, the educator, possesses; by possessing a worldview rooted in spiritual life."

This idea is reinforced by Magchiel C. Matthijsen, who put it as follows:

'Spiritual knowledge of man is the esoteric task of the teacher.'

To me, this means that in education and healthcare we must look beyond what is measurable, give space to what is intuitively felt, and also serve as spaceholders for the next generation to be able to discover and learn with receptiveness and full of wonder and confidence.

Today's societal challenges simply demand a deeper level of awareness. Not more systems, not even stricter frameworks, not even stricter rhetoric, but a generation that is strong from within and also given the opportunity to develop in this way. From a healthy inner system, innovation can emerge, sustainable growth can take place, and a future can be built that is truly sustainable, because it can continuously and resiliently adapt to the moment.

Without the conscious application of intuition, we leave half of our potential untapped. It's as if we have a powerful engine, but it's only running at half power. That's not only a shame, it's a missed opportunity.

Intuition isn't just a tool. It's a vital key.

This is where my heart lies. Not just as a professional, but also as a person, a parent, and a counselor. This is about more than systems and structures; it's about you, about me, about us. If this resonates with you, if you feel there's something here that can help you or your organization, please feel free to contact me. My inbox is open—I look forward to hearing from you.

Are you curious and want to get started with this yourself, with your class or family? I recently started offering a DIY guide to intuitive development: 22 pages full of insights, practical exercises, inspiring tips, and reflection questions that challenge you to explore more deeply through play. You can find it here.

Towards a balanced generation! Are you joining us?