This is the first post in a three-part series on progressive preschool curricular approaches. This week, we focus on Waldorf (also known as Steiner) education, a uniquely spiritual learning philosophy.
Waldorf education grew out of anthroposophy, a spiritual philosophy developed by Austrian scientist and thinker Rudolf Steiner. As such, there is a spiritual emphasis to Waldorf curriculum. Waldorf teachers may refer to young children as "spiritual beings" coming down from another realm.
Waldorf pedagogy is meant to support the emergence of three soul forces: thinking, feeling and willing. From birth to age 6, teachers support "will forces" (i.e., developing the will to follow through on decisions to completion).
Accordingly, Waldorf educators allow children plenty of independence—never helping children with things they can do for themselves—so children develop persistence.
Children learn through experiences such as cooking and gardening. Natural play materials (e.g., blank-faced wooden dolls, pine cones and hand-sewn felt vegetables) in calming, muted colours fill Waldorf classrooms.
Learners are not hurried to do things before they are ready. Academics (e.g., numeracy, reading and writing) are not introduced in early childhood but after age 7. Also, use of technology is discouraged at Waldorf schools. Teachers prefer to support children’s creativity and imagination through storytelling.
To read more about Waldorf education, click here.
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