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Waldorf Education
 Waldorf schools offer a developmentally appropriate, experiential approach to education. They integrate the arts and academics for children from preschool through twelfth grade. Waldorf Education aims to inspire life-long learning in all students and to enable them to fully develop their unique capacities. Founded in the early 20th century, Waldorf Education is based on the insights, teachings and principles of education outlined by the world renowned anthroposophist, artist, and scientist, Rudolf Steiner. The principles of Waldorf Education evolve from a profound understanding of human development that address the needs of the growing child. These principles inspire and guide teachers, administrators, trustees and parents today.
The Waldorf curriculum is broad and comprehensive. Structured to respond to the three developmental phases of childhood - birth to 6 or 7 years, 7 to 14 years and 14 to 21 years - Rudolf Steiner stressed to teachers that the best way to provide meaningful support for the child is to comprehend these phases fully and to bring "age appropriate" content that nourishes healthy growth for the Waldorf student. Music, dance and theater, writing, literature, legends and myths are not simply subjects to be read about and tested. They are experienced. Through these experiences, Waldorf students cultivate their intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual capacities to be individuals certain of their paths and to be of service to the world.
Teachers in Waldorf schools are dedicated to generating an inner enthusiasm for learning within every child. This eliminates the need for competitive testing, academic placement, and behavioral rewards to motivate learning and allows motivation to arise from within. The internal motivation that is generated in Waldorf Education helps to engender the capacity for joyful life-long learning.
Waldorf Education is independent and inclusive. It upholds the principles of freedom in education and engages independent administration locally, continentally and internationally. It is regionally appropriate education with hundreds of schools worldwide today.
Waldorf Education is truly Inspired Learning.
By purchasing through this link to Amazon.com, a minimum of 4% of your purchase price will be donated to the Tucson Waldorf School.
Recommended Reading
* Baldwin, Rahima. You Are Your Child's First Teacher. (Celestial Arts, 1998)
* Davy, Gudrun and Voors, Bons (Eds.). Lifeways — Working with Family Questions.
Hawthorn Press, 1983
* Fitzjohn, Large, Weston. Festivals Together, A Guide to Multi-Cultural
Celebration.Anthroposophic Press
* Harwood, A. C. The Way of the Child. Anthroposophic Press
* Healy, Jane. Failure to Connect and Your Child's Growing Mind 1999
* Jaffke, Freya. Toymaking With Children. Floris Books, 1988
* Kohler, Henning. Difficult Children: There is no such thing.
* Petrash, Jack. Understanding Waldorf Education (Gryphon House 2002)
* Patterson, Barbara. Parenting for a Healthy Future
* Steiner, Rudolf. The Education of the Child. Anthroposophic Press
* Steiner, Rudolf. The Kingdom of Childhood. Anthroposophic Press
* Richards, M.C. Towards Wholeness University Press of New England
* Rivers, K. Ed. Waldorf Student Reading List. Anthroposophic Press
* Who's Bringing Them Up? by Martin Large
* Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television by Jerry Mander
* Evolution's End by Joseph Chilton Pearce *The Hurried Child by David Elkind
* Fool's Gold: A Critical Look at Computers in Childhood Link to PDF of entire paper. From the Alliance for Childhood Link to Abstract
* Kindergarten Cram (New York Times May 3, 2009)
* Crisis in the Kindergarten (Alliance for Childhood)
* Where do the Children Play? (PBS)
* The Hurried Infant (CBC broadcast)
* Deskercise: Staying Jazzed and Focused at School (NPR Broadcast)
* Why are School-age boys struggling? (Newsweek)
* Taking Play Seriously
* Old-fashioned Play builds Serious Skills (NPR)
* Unplugged Schools (Orion)
* Nature Deficit Disorder (NPR)
* Media Use among Children (Kaiser Foundation) * For Forest Kindergarteners, Class is Back to Nature, Rain or Shine (NY Times)
Sources:
Amazon.com (Use this link for purchases--4% will go to Tucson Waldorf School for Fund to support Teachers)
Anthroposophic Press
RR 4, Box 94 A1
Hudson, New York 12534
(518) 851-2054
steinerbooks.org
Rudolf Steiner College Bookstore
9200 Fair Oaks Blvd
Fair Oaks, California 95628
(916) 961-8729
steinercollege.edu
Web Sites
* Alliance for Childhood - allianceforchildhood.net
* Association of Waldorf Schools of North America - awsna.org
* Waldorf Education on the Web - waldorfworld.net
* Waldorf Resources - bobnancy.com
* Why Waldorf Works - whywaldorfworks.org
* Waldorf Teacher Site-great resource for parents and teachers alike, gallery of main lesson books as well as articles related to Waldorf Education-waldorfteachers.com
Link to FAQ page of River Song Waldorf School website (w/permission).
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