Waldorf School Education

About this video lesson:
Waldorf education is based on the principles of Anthroposophy by Rudolf Steiner. Rudolf Steiner founded the first school in 1919 Stuttgart Germany to educate the children of the factory workers from the Waldorf Astoria Zigaretten Fabrik - hence the name. All kids, independent of social status or talent received the same instruction, which made the school a pioneer of social justice in education.

The goal of Waldorf education is to develop free, but morally responsible individuals equipped with a high degree of social competence and creative capabilities. Factual knowledge, homework and tests scores receive less attention. Storytelling and experimentation are the main method of instruction, textbooks are being avoided.

Over the twelve-year curriculum, students learn math, literature, history, and science as well as a wide variety of arts and hands-on skills. Elementary students paint, knit, weave and sculpt with wax. Older ones make patterns, books, pottery and sculpt in stone. Everybody learns to do music. First all play the flute, then some play string instruments and others join the choir.

Students play non-competitive games and learn to dance eurhythmy. They do organic farming and learn two foreign languages, which in the first years are taught through songs, storytelling, and conversations. In grades 8 and 12, the entire class develops a classical drama that they perform in front of their parents and friends.

Waldorf uses a unique project-based approach to almost all main academic subjects. Instead of repetitive schedules, a specific subject, such as history, math, science or even gardening dominates the first two hours in the morning for a period of 4-6 weeks. After that, a new subject gets the main focus.

Steiner also invented an experiential approach to science whereby students observe and later describe scientific concepts in their own words and drawings rather than learning about them in a textbook first. Waldorf schools, therefore, consider computers useful to children only in their teens, after they have mastered fundamental, time-honored ways of discovering information and learning.

In the spirit of personal development and empathy, competition and grades are being avoided. Teachers instead assess the student’s individual growth of character. Test scores and grades are only slowly introduced to older students as they prepare for college and entrance exams.

Today there are over a thousand Waldorf schools in 60 countries, making it one of the largest independent school movements. Waldorf has become a recognized educational theory in Europe, and its schools have received state funding.

[TheHana]

I am a Waldorf child... I am now in my (very) late 20's and realise how much I have progressed in life because of my early Waldorf education.... (Thank you, mom & dad <3 )

[successions]

I am currently in Waldorf and feel like it’s one of the the best schools I’ve heard of. I’m glad I have the privilege to go here

[davithov]

My elder son is in Waldorf school as the youngest one is in Waldorf kindergarten. Furthermore, my elder son was also in Waldorf kindergarten. I can say they definitely think, act differently than other kids and I am very happy about that. They have fantastic fantasy and creativity which are much more important and valuable than to learn by heart some topics which you'll definitely forget after very short time.

[andyokus]

I saw a large wall presentation of Waldorf kids achievements in a Graduate Psychology Dept and I was really blown away by it. It was almost magical what these youngsters had created.

[Corrans]

As a past pupil of a Waldorf School here in South Africa, I feel SO blessed to have attended one.

[lucialangen]

I quite often struggle to explain what 'Waldorf' or 'Steiner' education is to other people and this video surprised me as it did a very good job of summarizing the main aspects. However, I might add that the 2 hours of 'project-based learning' in the morning actually go by the name 'main lesson' and averagely run for a 3-week cycle (not 4 - 6 weeks).

[Crux]

Waldorf was an amazing experience for me as a child. It was truly very different from school. I never found myself not wanting to go, or not wanting to be there — had I continued in that school for the entirety of my education, things would probably be very different for me.

[nate]

Graduating this year, Tbh i’m sad to leave. I think any school that someone can remember fondly has something to be said for it. I love waldorf, i think it’s very important and should receive more attention

[charltonhughes]

It is so sad that more children do not have access to these wonderful schools. Steiner's ideas are just the beginning of what they have evolved into over nearly 100 years. The schools strive to provide as much financial aid as possible - but it is getting harder and harder. My local Waldorf school had 30% minority enrollment 10-15 years ago - it's shrinking now.
The shrinking middle class has really affected enrollments in many independent schools (Waldorf and others). Something must be done and it is not the schools, themselves, that must solve this problem! The government levels the playing field only if one "chooses" to send a child to government schools. Is this what we really think is best for all children? Having children educated with diverse methods is really important to the health of a society!

[geneoluminology]

STUDYING..at 47.. to become a WALDORF teacher..I believe nothing is more amazing than a new comer soul....fully prepared to create th new....we need more that...we get together and create

[kettermannichols]

I would love Waldorf, Montessori, Reggio and combinations to be more widely available to entire public.There's work to do in informing everyone that are better ways to teach and learn.

[anna-bjrf]

I’m currently in my final year at a Waldorf school in Germany and it’s pretty tough..No woodworking anymore haha. I guess we have to proof we’re not stupid because we’re “Waldorf” and that’s why we get testet in one more subject in our finals

[GamerLeo]

My children will be starting at a Waldorf education school and I’m so excited . I’m so happy to see all the comments of positive experiences

[Tmm]

I grew up in a public school in the countryside and while the school wasn’t based on any special “method” or philosophy it included so much of what Waldorf method does such as gardening, learning multiple music instruments, doing plays, and developing basic living skills like cooking and sewing. and those are the things I am most appreciative of the early education of my own and what I would love for my child.

[Bidita]

I think Waldorf education is one of the best curriculum education system for learning. Experimental learning attitudes in students and getting help from the educators in these Waldorf teaching methodologies are quite a different way of lifetime learning. Best wishes.

[Chava]

We love Waldorf!!! My three children went there and are soooo happy I sent them to a Waldorfschool. They will make the same choice for their own children

[marciematthews]

A large study in Europe demonstrated that the one area that Waldorf students have been shown to excel in is winning gold medals. The capacity to use one's imagination constructively for beautiful and practical purposes is emphasized - in a good Waldorf school - and although they are taught sports in a slightly less competitive way they still work hard at it and this builds true tenacity to win in adult competition just because it is about the beauty of the sport and the ability to focus on the bigger picture ( or in the case of other subjects- the beauty of the world and its individuals ) that is stressed. Daily physical play, climbing trees, Eurythmy, balancing and juggling probably don't hurt either. Also in a well run Waldorf School the teachers and parents (those who choose to contribute constructively) make decisions together, so the children see self expression with patience modeled. Waldorf students choose careers that avoid toxic situations, but to deal with such things they have their superior imaginations to help them. When I had mean bosses I used to imagine they were a cruel king and I a poor serf. It made it funny and tolerable.

[MariannVela]

I went to Waldorf special need school in 13 years i grew up there learning so many good things. The teachers there were so kind and patience with me. Even tho i struggled alot to learn since i have ADHD and autism. But the school and education is amazing. It’s so much better than public school. 🥰🥰♥️.

[gumixxxxx]

I went to a waldorf school from kindergarten through grade 3.... REALLY wish I had this experience. My main teacher would pick on me so much I would get stomach aches every morning and developed anxiety in grade 1. Even the other teachers and secretary were confused since I was constantly being sent out to the hall/office, only in his classes.

[gndcregor]

I was in the Lower School and it changed my life. I became a Waldorf teacher and I helped changed my students lives. Steiner was a unique Spiritual thinker and has fundamentally influenced the world. Shame he isnt known more and taught about.