What is Waldorf Education?
This alternative, yet well-established, educational approach could be great for your early learner, but what exactly is Waldorf?
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
SEPTEMBER 25, 2023
If you’re not familiar with Waldorf, but have heard of Steiner, then we can tell you that both these names relate to the same educational approach.
The Waldorf/Steiner way of learning was developed by the Austrian philosopher and scientist, Rudolf Steiner, just after World War One ended, and more than a century later, it still has a lot to offer little learners.
Even if you don’t plan on sending your child to a Waldorf/Steiner primary school, you might like to consider an early learning service that’s influenced partly or wholly by this approach; and to see why, here’s a quick wrap-up of what Waldorf/Steiner early education has to offer.
In a nutshell, this educational approach recognises how important the first seven years of a child’s life are, and there’s an emphasis on positive role-modelling and self-directed learning.
Rudolf Steiner believed that young learners should be given really good examples to imitate, and there’s a focus on warmth, joy, wonder and respect in Waldorf/Steiner early learning environments.
Educators are well studied in the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, and they focus on being positive role models for the children in their care, rather than instructing littlies how to learn.
The Waldorf/Steiner curriculum is in line with the Early Years Learning Framework that early childhood education and care services must follow, but there’s a particularly strong focus on child-led learning and self-initiated play, based on each pre-schooler’s individual interests.
The idea behind this is that self-motivated learning encourages littlies to think in independent, creative, social and critical ways, while feeling loved and accepted.
Play materials are simple, with things like wooden toys, felt puppets and loose parts offering open-ended activities; and Waldorf/Steiner early education is underpinned by the idea that children learn by imitating, moving and experiencing the world through their senses, then using self-initiated play as their way of absorbing those experiences.
Being outdoors, working and playing with natural materials helps children to appreciate their natural world, which is really important for the Waldorf/Steiner approach, and screens/digital technology are not used with children in a Waldorf/Steiner early learning setting.
You will find that Waldorf/Steiner programs differ, depending on who’s offering them and where, however, you can expect a rich and varied curriculum.
No matter what the individual program looks like, the early learning activities will always take into account the age-specific developmental needs of the young children.
From birth to three years of age, the main learning and development focus is on ‘will-oriented physical activity,’ such as when a baby crawls towards their toy of choice, or a toddler picks “My tomatoes” from the veggie patch.
Then, once children are making great strides with their walking, speaking and thinking, imaginative play becomes really important for preschoolers at Waldorf/Steiner centres.
Children are given opportunities to take age-appropriate risks, such as climbing a tree or balancing on a beam, and there are lots of opportunities to experience meaningful, real-life experiences, like cooking, gardening and light domestic duties!
Art and craft also has a big place in the Waldorf/Steiner early learning environment (even more so than in mainstream services), and other creative activities, like singing, dancing and storytelling help to free up children’s thinking and imagining.
You’ll also find that there’s a balance between freedom and structure in each Waldorf/Steiner early learning environment, because although children are free to follow their interests and explore their physical and social surroundings as they like, they know what to expect each day.
There are regular routines when it comes to things like meals, naps and playtime; and children are made to feel safe, secure and guided with a predictable rhythm to their early learning experience.
Along the way, there’s a focus on ‘whole-child’ development.
In Waldorf/Steiner settings, foundations are laid for later learning and development.
Each child’s life-long physical, social, emotional and intellectual development is supported, and the Waldorf/Steiner educational approach also supports their spiritual growth.
This doesn’t mean that religious education is part of the curriculum in Waldorf/Steiner education.
However, the spiritual aspect of the developing human being is fundamental to this educational approach, and the Waldorf/Steiner curriculum is different to a mainstream one, because educators strive to understand the whole child from the perspective of having a deep understanding and respect for each person’s physical life and spiritual life.
As in mainstream services, community runs deep in quality Waldorf/Steiner early learning services.
There are lots of great connections between children, families, educators and the wider community, with guest speakers, cultural events, open days and fundraisers all possible, and the best way to experience a Waldorf/Steiner early learning service is to go along for a tour or ‘stay and play.’
You’ll find a list of certified Waldorf/Steiner preschools, kindies and playgroups here, and there are plenty of services that are inspired by this educational approach.
If ‘Waldorf’ is mentioned in your communications with a prospective service (or in their online info), you’ll now have a better sense of what’s being offered, and the team will be very happy to talk you through the finer points of their education and care program.
We wish you well with your childcare search, and we thank the Australian Association for Rudolf Steiner Early Childhood Education (SECA) for their contribution to this article.