Waldorf schools originated in Germany in the early 1900s and were developed to provide education for factory workers. The schools used a curriculum developed by Rudolf Steiner based on the philosophy of anthroposophy, which viewed spiritual, physical and mental development as interconnected. Waldorf education has three stages - ages 0-7 focus on imagination, ages 7-14 on developing literacy while keeping students with the same teacher, and ages 14-21 on abstract thinking, ethics and career preparation. Some key principles include an emphasis on art, music, outdoor activities and storytelling, and keeping early education simple and experiential. Over time Waldorf schools spread internationally but faced challenges under Nazi rule in Germany.

1. A different form of education
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2. http://www.a-w-i-p.com/index.php/2010/08/07/2010-humanity-s-choice-as-foreseen-
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by-ru

3. *Waldorf schools originated in Germany during the
early 1900’s by Rudolf Steiner.
*This school was developed in order to provide
education for the children of the workers at the
Waldorf-Astoria Company cigarette factory.
*The schools were co-educational and open to all
students regardless of educational background,
social class, or religion.(Teaching Young Children)
*In 1928 the Waldorf school became the biggest
nondenominational school in Germany and served as
a model for other branches of Waldorf schools.
*(Waldorf Canada)
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4. * The Waldorf school struggled during World War II due to
incessant harassment.
* The original Waldorf school was closed during the war
because “there was no place in Nazi Germany for any school
that educated individuals to think for themselves”. ()
* Although the school was struggling in Germany, branches
were starting to open all across the globe.
* The first school that used the Waldorf education model in the
United States was the Rudolf Steiner School in New York City
in 1928.
* Since then over one thousand Waldorf schools have opened in
sixty countries with about 150 currently open in the United
States.
* (Waldorf Cananda)
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5. * Steiner created the school around a new movement of Anthroposophy – a
spiritual philosophy based around science and mysticism. He believed
that “there was a unity among the spirit, body, and mind and that good
education was a tool for keeping these elements in balance” (Edwards,
2002)
* Based on this philosophy it was stated that “The first seven years of life
are a time of tremendous growth and transformation. Having left the
spiritual worlds, the child begins the journey of incarnation, and the soul
and spirit have to struggle to adapt to the vessel of the body” (Waldorf
Early Childhood Education Association of North America, 2010)
* Therefore, Waldorf schools have a major focus on elementary education
from birth to age 7.
* Waldorf schools are broken apart into three age ranges each consisting of
7 years. Each age range focuses on a different part of the child’s
development.
* Waldorf curriculum is based around oral learning and memory.
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6. * Teachers in Waldorf schools are considered performers as
they have to lead and demonstrate academic, artistic, and
spiritual activities for the children to imitate.
* Teachers are also expected to be a moral leader for the class
and to create a strong community throughout the class that
models caring and concern.
* The role of the teacher changes depending on the age of the
children.
* During early childhood, teachers have to be nurturing and
supportive.
* As children move on into the second and third stage,
educators guide their students into becoming more
independent.
* (Teaching Young Children, Henninger)
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7. *

8. * The first stage of Waldorf education consists of children from
newborns all the way to age 7.
* Learning through imitation and doing and creating a sense of wonder
is extremely important during this stage.
* Teachers in this stage have to carefully prepare their students
learning environment with color, natural materials, and props with
minimal details in order to encourage imaginary place.
* During this stage children do not learn written language as their
language skills are centralized around oral language, story telling,
and singing.
* Music and rhythms are used frequently because of their importance
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to mind, body, and spiritual learning.
* (Teaching Young Children, Henninger)

9. * Stage two of Waldorf educations consists of 7 to 14 year-olds.
* During the first two years of this stage children start
developing how to read and write.
* During the entire duration of stage two, students are kept in
the same classroom with the same peers and the same
educator. This helps the classroom become a close-knit
community where the students can grow intellectually and
socially together.
* No textbooks are used during this stage as a child is still
expected to widely use their imagination. Instead, all of the
curriculum is directed by the teacher which the students
absorb through listening and memory in order to make their
own books on the topic.
* (Teaching Young Children, Henninger)
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10. * Stage three consists of adolescents age 14 to 21.
* In this stage, students are expected to use rational and abstract
thinking.
* Students are introduced to subjects that focus on ethics, social
responsibilities, and more rigorous academic work .
* During this stage, computers and technology are used as a way to
expand the students learning.
* Teachers are still expected to encourage childhood wonder, curiosity,
belief in goodness, and a love of beauty (Edwards, 2002)
* Feelings, willpower, and moral nature are emphasized during this
stage to develop not only the head but also the heart and hands.
* (Teaching Young Children, Henninger)
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11. * The following are teaching strategies that are commonly practiced in
every Waldorf school and can easily be applied to any childhood learning
setting.
* Greeting students with a handshake to show genuine care.
* Create a buddy system to create a better community and develop self
esteem in social environments.
* Integrate art into the curriculum to clarify a child’s understanding.
* Plan for gardening and outdoor nature activities to integrate science into
everyday learning.
* Incorporate music and rhythm activities for mind, body, and spiritual
learning.
* Promote active movement for quality learning.
* Use storytelling for developing basic conceptual understandings.
* (Teaching Young Children, Henninger)
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12. *Gnomes are believed to be real
*Friend of Waldorf parent described school as
“gnomes good, television bad”
*Faceless toys and pinecones are common toys used
to help expand imagination.
*Steiner believed the living could cultivate the
ability to enter the spirit world.
*Knitting is a very common practice in Waldorf
schools and most kids spend their free time knitting
and playing the recorder.
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13. * Students sing hymns to "spirit" every day
* All classroom supplies are made of natural fibers
* There are no clocks, mirrors, or tests in the school to reduce
the idea of competition or self-focus.
* Specific colors, such as black, brown and purple, are not
allowed due to their negative energy. Each color has a
specific meaning.
* Waldorf schools support a “personal belief exemption” or a
PBE where parents can opt out of vaccinating their children,
which has led to drama in a San Francisco neighborhood due
to the school being blamed for the recent chicken pox and
whooping cough outbreak.
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14. Sources