A highly controversial learning approach – but one worth understanding.
What is Steiner Waldorf Education?
The Steiner Waldorf educational movement integrates the body, soul, and spirit into the learning process. Students get the chance to fully develop their unique strengths and gifts through academic learning as well as experiences.
This approach takes age and stage of development into account and is a way of learning that attempts to encourage children to become their true selves. The Early Years (birth–7 years), Middle School (7–14 years), and Upper School (14–21 years) all include the arts and movement as integral aspects of learning. They are as crucial as academics leading to a balanced curriculum that produces multi-skilled and emotionally mature students.
A Waldorf curriculum is designed around the students, which makes it regionally appropriate and inclusive. This flexible curriculum is based on the 7 Steiner principles that try to nurture each child as they develop. Language, arts, and oral tradition form the foundations for numeracy and literacy. The approach is both child- and teacher-led based on the social, emotional, and physical development stage.
A brief history of Waldorf Learning
Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher, artist, and scientist, is the head and heart of this connected way of learning.
The Waldorf approach was born during a time of great upheaval and poverty during World War 1. Steiner was looking for ways to fix a broken world and developed an interest in Anthroposophy. The idea that humanity and the universe are part of a spiritual world that we can connect with intrigued Steiner. You can find that spiritualism in the Waldorf teaching method today.
Anthroposophy looks at how humanity can coexist in harmony and recognizes each person’s uniqueness. It is not a religion but a philosophy that people can draw on as they walk a path of personal growth and freedom.
The first Steiner school was founded in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1919 for the children of workers at the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory. Steiner believed that children from all parts of society should learn together. There are now more than 1090 Waldorf schools in 64 countries.
Principle 1: Image of the human being
The Waldorf method views children as fluid, organic beings who learn through the connection of the spirit, soul, and body. When there are changes in one of these areas, it affects the whole.
Learning is more than just academics. The image of the human being looks at physical, emotional, intellectual, social, cultural, moral, and spiritual development. For example, when children are learning a language, the activities include dialogue, plays, dance, and music.
This principle looks like a learning program that honors the readiness and rhythms of the student. The 3-hour learning blocks over 3–5 weeks allows students to work at their own pace as they explore a topic.
It is learning with connection: this happens through stories, art, and imagination. Teachers may share personal anecdotes to enrich learning and create a connection with students. For example, a teacher may share their difficulties teaching about the Holocaust because they had family members in a concentration camp. This connects with students on an emotional level rather than just through a basic presentation of facts.
Principle 2: Child development
Child development in Steiner Waldorf schools is broken into 3 phases, with each lasting 7 years. Each stage has unique physical, emotional, and cognitive characteristics. All children move through these phases, but each in their own way. This principle guides all aspects of the educational program, from teaching methodologies to assessment methods. It attempts to support learning and healthy, balanced development.
The first 7 years are about developing trust, problem-solving skills, and empathy. Roleplay, imaginative play, stories, and movement are vital during these early years. They are also free of technology.
The following 2 phases focus on the beauty of cultural creativity through 2 paths. Firstly, through fairytales and myths that spiral inwards and encourage inner awakenings. Secondly, through major cultures and stories of leadership that spiral outward and encourage scientific inquiry. There are immersive Main Lesson blocks and multi-sensory activities reinforced by music, movement, and recitation.
Principle 3: Social change through education
Waldorf education is designed to serve the individual and society. It offers supportive conditions for each student and their unique capabilities. This connection between thinking, feeling, and willingness may lead to self-aware adults interested in the world. Independent thinking is encouraged through developmentally appropriate and academically informed activities.
For example, in normative education, quantitative assessment is the norm, but Waldorf uses qualitative assessment based on all aspects of the child. Activities such as art, story-telling, and handicrafts create a sense of community while allowing children of differing abilities to participate actively.
The Waldorf method is based on a vision of social renewal and teaches kids how to think, not what to think. By creating their own workbooks, students listen to the topic being taught but have the opportunity to record it as they understand it. Waldorf teachers try and model healthy social interaction and create an environment of respect.
Some of Steiner’s ideas around race and reincarnation are racist and rejected by the modern Waldorf movement. Waldorf schools today value inclusion, diversity, and respect.
Principle 4: Human relationships
Waldorf education may foster enduring relationships because students have the time to develop them. It is a relationship-based learning method that encourages student-to-student and student-to-teacher relationships. Students usually have the same teacher for the first 7 years, meaning they have a deep understanding of each child’s needs, temperaments, personalities, and gifts.
Many Waldorf schools are inclusive and diverse communities, and this is celebrated through festivals, events, adult education, and volunteering. These community initiatives build trust and respect while showing the value of uniqueness.
Older students will often perform skits to demonstrate kind and unkind behavior. This helps build a strong school culture with overlapping and cohesive interactions. Although each student is unique, Waldorf schools share similar values and behavioral expectations. There is also a collaboration between schools and with the greater education movement.
Principle 5: Access and diversity
Waldorf schools are constantly working to increase access and diversity. There is no discrimination on admission or participation. Waldorf principles mean schools creatively address developmental needs with inclusive approaches.
Each school develops its curriculum to reflect its student population, and they are committed to developing the potential of every child. With an inclusive festival life and environment, Waldorf learning tries to nurture diversity and equity.
Rudolf Steiner said, “We seek to unite people of all races and nations and bridge the division and differences between various groups of people.”
Steiner Waldorf schools today use courageous self-reflection to work through implicit biases in order to create an inclusive space for all students. This Waldorf principle believes inclusivity and equity are critical to moral and educational success.
Principle 6: Collaborative leadership
Waldorf schools are self-administered through the principles of Anthroposophy and social interaction. In a traditional school, the administrative responsibility falls on the principal and governing body, unlike in a Waldorf school, where responsibility is shared within the established legal structures.
Faculty members design the curriculum because they understand Steiner principles and their students, but it constantly evolves. Waldorf leadership is about active collaboration, supportive relationships, and accountability. Staff connect and collaborate as they learn new competencies and add to their knowledge of teaching practices.
3 bodies form the collaborative leadership network in a Waldorf school. The College of Teachers deals with the curriculum, classroom, and student interaction. The Council of Management handles finances and legalities, while the Parent-Teacher Association actively involves and educates parents during their children’s journey. Unlike the traditional top-down approach to school leadership, the Waldorf system tries to involve the parents and teachers as equal partners.
Principle 7: Schools as learning communities
Waldorf education is holistic, which means it involves everyone. It focuses on conscious social engagement and an active inner and meditative life.
Teachers observe their students and reflect on their progress and the teaching process. They are continuously improving themselves and their methods, just as the students are always learning. Modeling a love of learning through research and artistic activity encourages children as they learn.
Everyone from admin staff to board members are trained in the Waldorf principles and Anthroposophy ideas so that the learning environment is cohesive. Community events such as seasonal festivals and Adult Education Evenings involve parents in school life. This creates a community of respect, love, and acceptance.
Benefits of the Waldorf Way
Hands-on and age-appropriate learning mean children are introduced to experiences at the right developmental stage. Students set the pace and have an educational path that works with their personal development. Using block learning, children have time to dive deep into topics that enrich the learning experience.
Students take an active role in their education by creating their own textbooks. They record information in their Main Lesson book, which reinforces learning. This is not pre-digested material but a personal and meaningful approach to education.
The interconnected nature of the Waldorf approach means that students may become well-rounded adults. The ever-changing and personalized curriculum exposes students to a wide range of experiences. Waldorf teachers don’t overemphasize a trait or skill which gives students the confidence to apply themselves in different situations. Waldorf students are often intrinsically motivated and should become lifelong learners.
Drawbacks of the Waldorf Way
Although there are some public Waldorf schools, most are private with expensive tuition, making it more difficult for working-class families or minority groups to gain access. Waldorf schools are aware of this failure, and many have scholarship programs.
The curriculum is based on developmental stages and has a different timeline for core subjects than traditional schools. This can be an adjustment for parents because your child might seem ‘behind’ other children their age.
Waldorf focuses on the ‘natural child’ and restricts the use of technology. The classrooms are filled with natural elements based on imagination and creativity. But we live in a technological world, and limiting access to something integral to daily life may be detrimental.
Spirituality is an important component of the Waldorf approach, which doesn’t work for every family. Although inclusive of different cultures and religions, the spiritual undertone may be problematic for some families to accept.
Case Study: Alice Birney Waldorf
Alice Birney Waldorf school in Sacramento, California, is one of the first public Waldorf school models.
In the 7th grade class, the teacher Mr. Martin silently shakes hands with each student as they arrive. The students begin a familiar routine of calisthenics, choral song, verse recitation, and homework review. Mr. Martin is silent through most of this, and there is a deep sense of trust and respect. This scene is common at Alice Birney, with the teachers being soft-spoken and non-judgmental.
Daily rhythms help the students know what is expected of them, and the need for discipline is minimal. For the younger classes, transitional practices help the predictability of the routine. Instead of days of the week, the days are rhythm-based. Soup day, for example, means each child brings something to contribute.
Can you picture it?
Soothing paint colors on walls filled with children’s art and nature-based displays. Natural materials and children and teachers eating soup together. It’s a picture of harmony and community that epitomizes the Waldorf way.
