Friday, June 18, 2010

A Look into the Waldorf Education

My playgroup has started to do some new playdates revolving around the Waldorf Education so I decided to look more into it.

This type of learning is based on the understanding that, a young infant will learn not through a formal educational process, but rather through just being, how to walk, how to talk, how to interact.  All of this learning takes place through imitation and watching those around him.  The Waldorf curriculum is based on this process.  The child learns through exploring  The arts, literature, music, and other subjects are not learned through a formal education but rather through experimenting with it.  Instead of reading books about specific artists, you listen to their music.  Instead of reading about nature, you go out and find it.  I think this is so very important, especially in the first few years of life.  The main purpose behind this way of teaching is to inspire a desire and love for learning in the child that will span through out their life.

The curriculum is different depending on the age range.  For young toddlers and preschool children the teaching may consist of:

•storytelling, puppetry, creative play


•singing, eurythmy (movement)

•games and finger plays

•painting, drawing and beeswax modeling

•baking and cooking, nature walks

•foreign language and circle time for festival and seasonal celebrations
 
A Waldorf Education does not hold a child back from fitting in with "normalized" society as some may think.  Although the schools are different in many respects, children are still learning to read, math, science, history, and writing.  In addition, these children are also exposed to playing instruments, woodworking, the arts, drama.  It inspires individual talents within each child.  The thing I like best is the interaction between the teacher and student.  One teacher may continue on with children all through their elementary years.
 
TV is something that is not appreciated in the Waldorf schools.  It is believed that such electronics hamper the imagination of the child to learn through experimentation and exploring.  That is why a lot of the toys used are all natural, or even just things that you can find in one's own home.
 
To find out more, visit: http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/
 
I don't know if we would put my son into a full Waldorf school after first grade, but I would love to find one for preschool and kindergarden and see how it goes.  It seems like it is limited though in the state of Connecticut.

5 comments:

  1. I'd never heard of it before your post. Sounds like a very interesting proposition. Would your son otherwise be attending a public school in your district? How are the public schools in your district? I LOVE OURS!!! They are doing a fabulous job with our kids...but we're in NJ ... where all heck is breaking loose with our budgets, especially school budgets so we'll see how it goes. Good luck making your decision!

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  2. We are completely undecided actually. We are probably going to put him in a public school as long as we can find a house in a great school district, which is what we are hoping for! There are a few preschools that teach this type of education, and then we would move him into public school. It depends where we move. I am from New Jersey actually...had a great education!!

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  3. I hadn't heard of Waldorf before, and am glad to have found your blog! I'm a first time visitor from FFF... you can find me at:

    http://ladymgray.blogspot.com/

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  4. Very interesting! I am here from the Friday Follow!You have a new follower! Have a great Friday! Come and visit Mama's Little Chick!

    Mama Hen
    www.mamaslittlechick.com

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  5. Alicia,
    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for the encouragement! Your blog is great! God bless you and your family as your flock grows. Boys are WONDERFUL!!

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