The Waldorf Education method is also sometimes called the Steiner method, because it’s based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner. Steiner was a 20th century Austrian philosopher who believed in anthroposophy, a spiritual science, that contends that a child’s development is the joining of a child’s immortal soul and spirit into one organism. The method has changed since Steiner’s death, but it still follows the basic layout of Steiner’s philosophy by dividing a child’s education into three stages.
1. Birth to age 7. This is the stage of imitation where a child learns by mimicking. New and varied experiences are important in this stage, as well as teaching children small, simple tasks around the house by letting them copy your actions.
2. Age 7 to puberty. This stage develops creativity, artistic ability, and storytelling. Where imitation was the focus in the first stage, feeling is the focus during this time. Fairy tales and their archetypes and character’s journeys are important and can positively influence a child’s world view and developing philosophies.
3. This is the high school stage. Independent thinking, critical thought, understanding, logic and intellect are stressed during these years.
Some basic principles of the Waldorf Education method are that subjects aren’t considered separately. Every part of the education is considered a part of the whole, equally important and relevant to the child’s education. A principle stressed during the first stage, the imitation stage, is that children learn best by doing, not by having things told to them or explained. Actions come first, then explanations can follow. In the Waldorf Education method, children are taught to write before they’re taught to read, for example.The Waldorf Education method, perhaps because of its stress on spirituality and the soul, emphasizes morality, truth and overall goodness.
The Waldorf Education method is entirely “unplugged.” No televisions, video games, computers or electronic media of any kind fit into a Waldorf learning environment. It’s believed that they stifle learning and keep a child from being creative, especially very young children.
Its lack of technology is also one of the chief criticisms of Waldorf Education. Keeping distractions to a minimum is good, but failing to take advantage of the many educational aspects of computers, for instance, is seen as a drawback by many. The Waldorf Education method, however, is a favorite among home school families with very specific religious beliefs, particularly those who find television, computers and video games don’t fit into their belief systems or their daily lives.
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