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The
true aim of education is to awaken real
powers of perception and judgment in
relation to life and living. For only such awakening
can lead to true freedom." Rudolf Steiner A Brief History Waldorf education was founded by Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925),
a highly respected and well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar who was particularly known for
his work on Goethe's scientific writings.
In 1919, Rudolf Steiner was invited to give a series of lectures to the workers
of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart, Germany. As a result, the factorys owner, Emil Molt asked Steiner to
establish and lead a school for the children of the factory's employees. Steiner agreed to do so on certain conditions,
including that the teachers who would be working directly with
the children take the leading role in the running of the school, with a minimum of interference from governmental or economic
concerns. Molt agreed, and the Free Waldorf School was opened shortly
thereafter. Steiner later came to incorporate his scientific investigations with his interest in spiritual development. In
addition to education, Steiner also applied his knowledge and experience to a variety of other subjects, including architecture,
medicine, agriculture (biodynamics), and economics. He is one of the most brilliant and multi-faceted visionaries
of the last century whose indications hold important implications for our current world, yet his work still remains largely
unrecognized. Read more about Rudolf Steiner What is Waldorf? With its roots in a philosophy called Anthroposophy, Steiner designed
a curriculum that would encourage free thinking within children rather than catering to the requirements of governmental forces. The content of the Waldorf curriculum was, in and of itself, responsive to the developmental
phases in childhood, as well as nurturing of childrens imaginations. More than merely 'developmental education', Waldorf
is a deeply insightful application of learning that is based on the study of humanity. The word Anthroposophy comes from the Greek words anthro (human)
and sophia (wisdom). Steiner characterized Anthroposophy as "a path of knowledge which leads the spiritual in the human
being to the spiritual in the universe". Anthroposophy is not a religion, nor is there a specific body of teachings.
Rather, one is encouraged to awaken to one's own inner nature and to that of the outer world through a means
of study and practical observation that continually asks the question, 'What is a human being?'. It is through
this awakening that Steiner believed that authentic creativity and a deep reverence for all life could be fostered.
Awakening and Unfolding What helps to make Waldorf unique is not so much the subjects that
are taught as when and how these subjects are introduced. Based on Rudolf Steiners idea
that specific forces and capabilities unfold within a child in distinct seven-year cycles, the Waldorf model is designed to
provide the right thing at the right time. This
does not mean that there is an intention to merely impose intellectual content or to impose content that a child is not
ready to embrace. Rather, Waldorf Education is designed to awaken the capacities within a child. Teaching itself is considered
to be an art form, and one that retraces the historical journey of the soul as the content of the curriculum parallels the history of human civilization.
This task
of awakening is the
true task before all of us as parents. It does not matter whether or not we identify ourselves as being on a 'Waldorf
path'. It is the task we must all share on this human journey together. Waldorf Education provides some
highly effective tools for transformation in this awakening process. The concept of distinct seven-year cycles is central to Waldorf Education:
Birth to age 7: The focus is on the growth of the physical body,
and the process of imitation. Working with the virtue of goodness, learning takes place primarily
through the hands or in the physical (or willing) realm. Ages 7 to 14: The focus is on the strengthening of ones life forces,
and the process of imagination. Working with the virtue of beauty, learning takes place primarily
through the heart or in the etheric (or feeling) realm. Ages 14 to 21: The focus is on developing cognitive
skills, and the process of inspiration. Working with the virtue of truth, learning takes place
primarily through the head or in the astral (or thinking) realm. Age 21 and up: The focus is now on continuing personal
development and transformation, the assertion of ones will through moral responsibility, and the process
of intuition. Working with the virtue of wisdom, learning takes place in a cumulative, integrated
nature. Waldorf is also recognized for
its distinct approach to the curriculum: - The head, heart, and hands approach is vital to the curriculum. Certain activities that might
be considered 'special' in a mainstream educational setting are considered paramount to Waldorf Education, including
gardening, woodworking, painting, farming, and house building. -
Waldorf education is deeply connected with the oral tradition, beginning
with fairy tales. The oral approach is used throughout the entire curriculum. The mastery of oral communication is
seen as integral to all learning that takes place. - The use of electronic media (television, videos,
video games, computers) by children at an early age is typically discouraged. Rather, the use of a computer as
a tool (vs. primarily an instrument used for entertainment purposes) is introduced to children once skills in literacy
are more deeply developed. - Main subjects, including History, Language Arts, Science, and Mathematics are
taught within the context of a Main Lesson block. In a Waldorf school,
these blocks typically consist of 2 hours per day in a particular subject, with each block lasting 3 or 4 weeks
in length. The Main Lesson model offers an opportunity for focus and indepth study rather than jumping from one subject
to the next. - Traditional
textbooks are not typically used in Waldorf schools, especially in the early grades. Rather, children create
their own Main Lesson books, which contain a record of the child's best work
that is accomplished over the course of the year. - Waldorf Education can be likened to that of an ascending
spiral. One continues to revisit subjects time and time again, deepening them and gaining new insights
with each exposure. - There is an emphasis on festivals,
or spiritual turning points in the year, as they serve to connect humanity with the rhythms of nature and of the cosmos. Participation
in festival celebrations can help to nourish the soul life. Read more about some of the unique aspects of Waldorf
Education, including information about Eurythmy and
Spatial Dynamics. For More Information An understanding of the cycles of development and approach and methods used
in Waldorf Education are central to the ability to implement the curriculum appropriately.
For more practical information on the principles and practices of Waldorf
education, we recommend that you visit Waldorf Answers To learn more about how the Waldorf curriculum might look in a home-based setting,
feel free to browse other pages on our web site now! To browse additional related resources visit our Resource Directory
