Waldorf education
Key Aspects
Holistic Approach: Waldorf education aims to nurture the intellectual, artistic, and practical capacities of each child, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
Nature-Based Curriculum: The curriculum is designed to be relevant to the learner’s developmental stage and incorporates nature-based activities, using natural materials and connecting children with the environment.
Age-Appropriate Learning: Waldorf education acknowledges different developmental phases in childhood and tailors the curriculum accordingly, focusing on imitation in early childhood, imagination in the primary years, and critical thinking in secondary school.
Emphasis on Creativity and Imagination: Artistic activities, storytelling, and play are integral to the learning process, encouraging creativity and imagination.
Strong Community Focus: Waldorf schools often foster a strong sense of togetherness and social responsibility, encouraging parental involvement and celebrating the school community.
Benefits of waldorf education
Love of Learning: Waldorf education aims to cultivate a lifelong love of learning and an enthusiasm for school.
21st-Century Skills: Waldorf schools emphasises the development of critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaborative problem-solving skills.
Holistic Development: It addresses the academic, artistic, and practical needs of the child, promoting well-rounded development.
Confidence and Independence: Waldorf education aims to build confidence, self-reliance, and a sense of purpose in students.
Respect for Nature: The emphasis on nature-based learning fosters a connection with the natural world and promotes environmental awareness.
A film to celebrate a century of Waldorf Education around the world (18 mins)
Some key figures tell the story of Waldorf Education in Ireland (72 mins)
An excellent overview by Martyn Rawson, co-author of The Tasks and Content of the Steiner-Waldorf Curriculum (30 mins)
Irish Waldorf Education Association 