About Waldorf Education

Waldorf schools offer a developmentally appropriate, experiential approach to education. They integrate the arts and academics for children from preschool through twelfth grade. Waldorf EducationSM aims to inspire life-long learning in all students and to enable them to fully develop their unique capacities. Founded in the early 20th century, Waldorf Education is based on the insights, teachings and principles of education outlined by the world renowned anthroposophist, artist, and scientist, Rudolf Steiner. The principles of Waldorf Education evolve from a profound understanding of human development that address the needs of the growing child. These principles inspire and guide teachers, administrators, trustees and parents today.

The Waldorf curriculum is broad and comprehensive. Structured to respond to the three developmental phases of childhood - birth to 6 or 7 years, 7 to 14 years and 14 to 21 years - Rudolf Steiner stressed to teachers that the best way to provide meaningful support for the child is to comprehend these phases fully and to bring "age appropriate" content that nourishes healthy growth for the Waldorf student. Music, dance and theater, writing, literature, legends and myths are not simply subjects to be read about and tested. They are experienced. Through these experiences, Waldorf students cultivate their intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual capacities to be individuals certain of their paths and to be of service to the world.

Teachers in Waldorf schools are dedicated to generating an inner enthusiasm for learning within every child. This eliminates the need for competitive testing, academic placement, and behavioristic rewards to motivate learning and allows motivation to arise from within. It helps engender the capacity for joyful life-long learning.

Waldorf Education is independent and inclusive. It upholds the principles of freedom in education and engages independent administration locally, continentally and internationally. It is regionally appropriate education with hundreds of schools worldwide today.

Waldorf Education is truly Inspired Learning.

Recommended Reading

• Baldwin, Rahima. You Are Your Child's First Teacher. (Celestial Arts, 1998)
• Davy, Gudrun and Voors, Bons (Eds.). Lifeways — Working with Family Questions. Hawthorn Press, 1983
• Fitzjohn, Large, Weston. Festivals Together, A Guide to Multi-Cultural Celebration. Anthroposophic Press
• Harwood, A. C. The Way of a Child. Anthroposophic Press
• Healy, Jane. Failure to Connect 1999
• Jaffke, Freya. Toymaking With Children. Floris Books, 1988
• Kohler, Henning. Difficult Children: There is no such thing.
• Petrash, Jack. Understanding Waldorf Education (Gryphon House 2002)
• Patterson, Barbara. Parenting for a Healthy Future
• Steiner, Rudolf. The Education of the Child. Anthroposophic Press
• Steiner, Rudolf. The Kingdom of Childhood. Anthroposophic Press
• Richards, M.C. Towards Wholeness. University Press of New England
• Rivers, K. Ed. Waldorf Student Reading List. Anthroposophic Press

Anthroposophic Press
RR 4, Box 94 A1
Hudson, New York 12534
(518) 851-2054
steinerbooks.org

Rudolf Steiner College Bookstore
9200 Fair Oaks Blvd
Fair Oaks, California 95628
(916) 961-8729
steinercollege.edu

Web Sites

• Alliance for Childhood - allianceforchildhood.net
• Association of Waldorf Schools of North America - awsna.org
• Waldorf Education on the Web - waldorfworld.net
• Waldorf Resources - bobnancy.com
• Why Waldorf Works - whywaldorfworks.org

Link to FAQ page of River Song Waldorf School website (w/permission)

Suggested reading

• The Hurried Child by David Elkind
• Who's Bringing Them Up? by Martin Large
• Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television by Jerry Mander
• Failure to Connect and Your Child's Growing Mind by Jane Healy
• Evolution's End by Joseph Chilton Pearce
• Fool's Gold: A Critical Look at Computers in Childhood by the Alliance for Childhood