What's Waldorf? An Introduction to Waldorf Education

Dr. Rudolf Steiner was a highly respected and well-published scientific, literary and philosophical scholar who was particularly known for his work on Goethe's scientific writings. He later came to incorporate his scientific investigations with his interest in spiritual development. He became a forerunner in the field of spiritual-scientific investigation for the modern 20th century individual.

His background in history and civilizations coupled with his observation in life gave the world the gift of Waldorf Education. It is a deeply insightful application of learning based on the Study of Humanity with developing consciousness of self and the surrounding world.

Giving your child a true Waldorf education means incorporating these principles into your daily family life. This is not a simple task for busy working families, rather something more easily taken on by the stay-at-home mother and/or father who has the time to devote to active involvement in their child's education. There are Waldorf village schools across the United States and Canada where children can attend classes outside the home a few days a week or full-time, depending on the school. To find one of these schools visit http://www.waldorfeducation.org where you will find a directory by clicking on the link for affiliated schools.

Waldorf education is based on teaching the whole child; head, heart and hands. It fosters imagination and fantasy. It is of the belief that children learn through imitation and play.

For young children, infants and toddlers, Waldorf education means complete occupation with the physical world. Early childhood education in the Waldorf tradition is full of activity, hands on building, touching, cooking, experiencing everything in the world around them. To foster language skills poetry and song are repeated. The combination of all of these activities will prepare the child for learning in the coming years. The Waldorf philosophy believes that forcing children at this stage to sit and pay attention to lessons without participating in active play will give the child a distaste for education and ultimately turn them off to learning. That is why children in early childhood Waldorf programs play almost exclusively so that they are engaged in active learning through touching, feeling, tasting instead of just watching.

Waldorf education has a stronger focus on the arts than traditional North American education. Music, drama, sewing, and painting are all experienced in a Waldorf education; these skills are as essential to a complete life experience as academic subjects.