Waldorf Education: Feeling, Thinking, and Doing
1. Teachers integrate arts and experiences into every subject, whether it is science or math.
2.Students are encouraged to take charge of their learning,
3.Schools cultivate the whole-child, developing intellectual components and physical, emotional, artistic, and spiritual facets.
The Waldorf education style consists of focusing on three main goals, learning by thinking, feeling, and doing. The curriculum and approach to teaching and learning concentrate on practical hands-on activities and integrating the arts into every subject. The ultimate goal is to create empathetic, lifelong learners that have a genuine love for learning and exploring the world.
When did Waldorf schools first appear?
The Waldorf school concept was born from Rudolf Steiner’s efforts, an Austrian educator, scientist, and artist, and the founder of anthroposophy. In 1919, Emil Molt, the Waldorf-Astoria Company owner, a cigarette factory in Stuttgart, Germany, approached Steiner about developing a school for the employees’ children.
This was during the aftermath of World War I, when Germany was facing a rocky economic and social landscape. Steiner asserted that it was time for renewal. He agreed to create the school and formed the Independent Waldorf School in September of 1919. To this day, schools that follow the principles set forth by Steiner are known as Waldorf Schools.
The Waldorf principles of learning
A few key concepts define the way students learn in a Waldorf school.
Imagination fuels learning
Waldorf schools strive for a rigorous curriculum, but it is not about memorizing facts and figures and learning information. Instead, teachers integrate the arts and various experiences into every subject, whether it is science, reading, or math, to generate a well-rounded approach to each area.
The idea is that a child’s imagination, especially during the crucial years of early development, must be nurtured and encouraged to let creativity bloom. In fact, in the preschool classroom, and even the kindergarten classrooms, a Waldorf curriculum focuses more on imagination instead of academics, helping children learn through hands-on experiences and play. The Waldorf curriculum recognizes distinct developmental phases in children and aims to design a curriculum that supports these different phases.
Foster a sense of inner motivation
Students in a Waldorf classroom are encouraged to take charge of their learning, becoming engaged with everything they do to foster a sense of intrinsic motivation. In other words, children should learn because they want to, not merely to score high on a test or do better than a classmate. When this inner motivation is present, it develops lifelong learners.
Cultivate the whole child.
Steiner was the founder of anthroposophy, which stressed that the human intellect could connect with the spiritual world. In this sense, Waldorf schools strive to cultivate the whole-child, developing intellectual components and physical, emotional, artistic, and spiritual facets. If a child changes in one of these areas, the idea is that this change will influence the whole-child. When a child learns in this environment, the idea is that she will grow into a confident, well-rounded individual that possesses a high moral standard and is passionate about attaining her goals.
Students that attend Waldorf schools often approach problems with creativity and adaptability. They can take things that they have experienced and apply them to new situations to find solutions. Teachers in Waldorf schools are encouraged to collaborate with each other and build positive relationships, as well as adapt and respond to the individual needs of their students. As a parent, you are your child’s primary teacher. At Educating AMY, we help you integrate a variety of learning styles into your child’s life by using resources that encourage imagination, creativity, and play.