What Is Waldorf Education?

Waldorf Education is a worldwide independent school movement developed in Europe over 100 years ago. Today, Waldorf Education is represented across the globe, with nearly 1000 schools and 2000 early childhood programs in over 60 countries. In Waldorf Education the learning process is threefold, engaging head, heart, and hands—or thinking, feeling, and doing. This is the basis out of which Waldorf teachers work to nurture and engage each child through a curriculum and methodology that integrates academics, arts, and practical skills.

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Founded in the early 20th century, Waldorf education is based on the insights, teachings and principles of education outlined by the world-renowned artist and scientist, Rudolf Steiner. The principles of Waldorf education evolve from an understanding of human development that address the needs of the growing child. 

 

Waldorf schools offer a developmentally appropriate, experiential, and academically rigorous approach to education. They integrate the arts in all academic disciplines to enhance and enrich learning for children from preschool through twelfth grade. Waldorf education aims to inspire lifelong learning in all students and enable them to fully develop their unique capacities.
 

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 rewards to motivate learning and allows motivation to arise from within. It helps engender the capacity for joyful lifelong learning.