Using the Waldorf Method of Education in the Homeschool

The Waldorf method of education is increasingly piquing the interest of homeschooling families that want to move away from the traditional classroom model of learning.

Rudolf Steiner; Founder of the Waldorf Method

The Waldorf method was developed nearly 100 years ago by a man name Rudolf Steiner for the children of the workers in the Waldorf Astoria cigarette factory.

Steiner believed that all people were created with three separate parts which all needed to be engaged for learning to occur. These parts were:

• Physical body
• Soul, comprised of emotions and intellect
• Spirit

Steiner broke down the learning process further into three stages of development, similar to the Trivium in classical education. These stages were:

• Early childhood
• Middle childhood
• Adolescence

Although Steiner did not develop Waldorf with any particular denomination in mind, most people believe that it is Christian based and many of the viewpoints are firmly rooted in Christianity.

In the Waldorf philosophy children are encouraged to experience the things they are learning about, engaging the mind, spirit and body. Competition is discouraged and grades are not given; rather each child is encouraged to be the best they can be in their own individual way.

Classrooms and learning areas are kept cheerful and child friendly. Walls are covered with brightly colored paints, interesting posters and murals, and the students’ own artwork. The concept of the learning center stems from Waldorf. Different centers are arranged in various areas of the classroom for exploration.

Textbooks, especially during the early years, are not used. Tests are not given until students reach the Adolescence Level, if they are used at all. There is no memorization to be done. Rather, students are encouraged to write in journals and notebooks about the things they have learned each day. These notebooks are similar to the Nature notebook concept of Charlotte Mason but are used for all learning, not just one subject.

In fact, during the Early Childhood level academics are not even stressed.

Waldorf focuses on a more holistic approach to education, not stressing academics over humanities but making them all of equal value in a child’s education. Each student is required to learn violin or other stringed instrument from the beginning level. Other typical studies are:

• Art
• Gardening
• Gymnastics
• Handcrafts like sewing, knitting, or even pottery
• Music

Waldorf vs. Charlotte Mason

If you think that there are similarities between Waldorf and Charlotte Mason's philosophies you are right.

Similarities

• Activities are important
• Art and music are considered as important as “core “subjects
• Children are encouraged to explore nature
• Notebook method
• Stress living books
• Stress child led learning

Differences

• Mason supports short class times for each subject
• Waldorf concentrates on one topic for an entire day and everything that is learned relates to that.
• Mason emphasizes early reading while Waldorf waits until later
• Mason emphasizes reading good books while Waldorf emphasizes creating your own stories and storytelling.

Of the two, Mason is more traditional while Waldorf is freer. You can see example subjects and when they are taught on this Waldorf Table (pdf file).

Anthroposophy

Anthroposophy is the philosophy developed by Steiner and followed in the Waldorf education. Basically, it is the attempt to unify mind/spirit/body and art/science/religion in each individual, allowing them to develop in freedom. Because of this it may remind you more of an unschooling philosophy than Charlotte Mason.

Waldorf encourages the development of a child’s imagination. Toys are an important part of the early years of learning and are made from natural materials:

• Cotton
• Silk
• Wood
• Wool

Toys should be visually appealing, pleasant to the senses and made from one of these or another all natural material. You won’t find garishly colored plastic blocks in the Waldorf home. Dolls have minimal facial features, allowing the child to imagine how the doll looks.

Dress up items is encouraged. Toys that allow a child to mimic adult activities are seen as healthy and important. These help children develop life skills in a non-stressful way.

Up until the age of seven children are encouraged to actively explore the world around them. Pretend play, excellent books, and lots of time outside are the primary activities during this time.

From age seven to fourteen, children learn through an artistic approach that focuses on mythology, legends, and explorers. They will express what they know through drawing, painting, drama, and music. They create books about what they are learning, without input from the teacher. These books contain only what the child feels is important and there is no right or wrong way to make them. During these years children learn that everyone is creative.

From fourteen to the end of high school a child will continue learning in this way, although some textbooks will be added. The child will learn to ask questions and find his own answers.

Understand the Basics

It is important that you understand the basics of the Waldorf philosophy in order to be able to implement it effectively. Using this method will require that you are confident in your child’s ability to learn and that you not compare your child to those of your homeschooling friends. Your child will not learn about the Pilgrims at the same time that conventionally schooled children will, but he will learn to empathize with them, how they felt, and why they made the choices they did.

You can find out more on the following sites:

Waldorf without Walls

Christopherus Homeschool

Charlotte Mason-Waldorf (a combination of the two methods)

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning to Let Go

Live Education

Waldorf Answers

Yahoo Groups Waldorf Special Needs (for special needs families)

Waldorf in the Home

Waldorf education is child led and foundational. A child will paint with yellow, then he will paint with blue, and at some point the two colors will mix and he will learn that yellow and blue make green. He does not have to be told, he will have learned it himself.

If you want your child to be creative, think for himself, and think WAY outside the box Waldorf might be for you. If your child is very creative and has trouble learning academics in the traditional ways, Waldorf may be the answer.