Waldorf Education

Waldorf EducationImaginative. Interdisciplinary. Spiritual.

The Basics

• Rudolf Steiner – philosopher

• Interdisciplinary • Imagination –

creative + analytic• Goals– Free, moral,

integrated students– Fulfil unique destiny

Basis

• 3 Stages of child development– Early childhood

learning• Experiential, sensory,

imitative

– Elementary School• Artistic, imaginative

– Adolescence• Abstract thought,

conceptual judgment

Waldorf in Action

Characteristics

• Multiple Intelligences• Eurythmy – movement

art– Text + music– Role play, dance– Integration, spatial

awareness, harmony• Spirituality

– Wide range of traditions– Seasonal festivals– Law suits

Early Childhood

• Environment• Homelike• Outdoor play periods• Oral Language

Development• “Waldorf Doll” –

imagination• Discourages media

exposure• Daily rhythms

Elementary Education

• Multi-disciplinary curriculum

• Heavy focus on the arts– Eurythmy, music, crafts– Foreign languages

• Content taught in stories– Illustrated summaries

• Teachers loop - commitment

Secondary Education

• Specialist Teachers• More strongly focused

academically• Courses in arts continue• Independent creative

thinking processes• Fosters ethical principles– Competence,

responsibility, purpose

The Four Temperments• Sanguine

– Light-hearted, fun loving, confident

– Cocky, arrogant, indulgent– Day-dreamers, off task often, act

on whims

• Choleric– A Doer – ambition, energy, – dominate people of other

temperaments– easily angered or bad-tempered.

• Melancholic– Ponderer , very kind, considerate– highly creative – pre-occupied with tragedy -

depressed. – perfectionists, loners

• Phlegmatic– self-content, kind, but shy – Enthusiasm inhibited, lazy,

resistant to change – relaxed, rational, curious, and

observant– many friends, more dependable

Schools

• Private• Freedom in curriculum• No standard text• No principal – groups– College of Teachers– Board of Trustees

• Parents – non-curricular participation

Putting it into Practice1. Greet

• Eye contact, check on students

2. Relate• Buddy-system – older student

mentors

3. Draw• Illustrate all lessons – create

workbook

4. Plant• Nature walks – connect with

outside

5. Play • Musical instruments

6. Move• Active learning – math = stomping