Waldorf “One of the things that is unique about Waldorf Schools is that we provide age appropriate learning,” says Karen Crick, Enrollment Director at Cincinnati Waldorf School. “We don’t pressure young children with a lot of homework and testing. We don’t give grades to the lower grade students. We really let children be children,” In Waldorf Schools, nature and the arts are an important part of the curriculum. “Kids play outside every day in all types of weather,” says Crick. “And every student studies music, movement, painting, drawing, woodworking, they all learn to knit. They all play music instruments. We use the arts to enhance the academic program and keep learning alive for our students.” Like Montessori, Waldorf schools teach by a topic that is dispersed into all academic lessons. “For four weeks the students will be studying Norse mythology,” says Crick. “Within Norse mythology there is language arts and social studies and even math and science.” In addition to traditional subjects, students learn a variety of other skills. “They are all in the orchestra, they’re all in the choir, and they all do woodworking class,” says Crick. “It’s a very well-rounded education. Our goal is to graduate out these renaissance individuals that are very capable academically, socially, physically, emotionally and artistically.”
To determine the best type of educational environment for your child, explore various approaches and talk with educators from different schools for a sense of what their guiding principles are. Observe how your child tends to learn best, how they interact with others and what excites and motivates them. With a little advance research and preparation, you’ll be better equipped to find a school that helps your child reach their fullest potential.
To learn more about Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Waldorf philosophies, visit these sites. American Montessori Society www.amshq.org
International Montessori Council www.montessori.org
North American Reggio Emilia Alliance
www.reggioalliance.org
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Reggio Children
www.reggiochildren.it
Association of Waldorf Schools in North America
www.waldorfeducation.org
Waldorf Answers
www.waldorfanswers.org