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The
first Waldorf School was founded in Germany by the Austrian educationist Rudolf
Steiner. The school was opened in 1919 to serve the needs of factory workers'
children. Considered revolutionary at the time, the methods have proved themselves
to be thoroughly practical and effective.
Waldorf
Education is a holistic response to the question "How can education
best serve the growth of the individual and of society?" The education is
based on three key elements : -
a
detailed study of the development of the child as a moral being;
-
a
specific and unique methodology;
-
a
comprehensive curriculum that supports the particular phases of the growing child.
Waldorf
Education aims at providing a warm, rich, enjoyable yet challenging education
in which the needs of the whole child are met throughout school life. It aims
at a preparation for life in the broadest sense and for life-long learning.
The curriculum is designed to bring balance into education by systematically addressing
the whole child in every activity. Each subject taught needs to address the head,
heart and hands of the child. Mathematics, for example, needs to engender
feelings of wonder and curiosity while integrated practical activities deepen
the experience and knowledge.
 Waldorf
Education is designed to be in harmony with the inner and outer needs of the
child at every stage of its development, and therefore allows the young adult
to emerge with a strong sense of the deeper meaning of life. Time and care is
taken to travel every step of the way with each child - a phenomenon rare in today's
hurried world. It is for this reason that Waldorf education fills a gap in a society
where youth is increasingly susceptible to cynicism, despair, aggression and addiction.
FURTHER
READING
We suggest the following books, which are for sale or available on loan from our
Parents' Library. Please enquire at the office. |
|
ROOT AND SHOOT | Michael
Oak Teachers | Aspects
of Waldorf Education | | QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | Roy
Wilkinson | |
| RUDOLF
STEINER EDUCATION | Francis
Edmunds | The
Waldorf Schools | | THE
RECOVERY OF MANHOOD | A
C Harwood | |
| THE
WAY OF A CHILD | A
C Harwood | |
| EDUCATING
AS AN ART | Rudolf
Steiner School Press, New York | Essays
on the Steiner Method and Waldorf Education | |
PARENTING |
Dotty
Turner Coplen | A
Path Through Childhood | | LIFEWAYS |
Gudrun Davy, Bons Voor | Aspects
of Family Life by Waldorf Parents | | WALDORF
EDUCATION | Richard
Blunt | Theory
and Practice | | STEINER
EDUCATION | A
periodical appearing twice a year, Steiner Education (formerly Child and Man) |
A focus for ideas, insights and achievements in all English-speaking Waldorf Schools
throughout the world.
Copies are available from the Parents' Library.
Subscriptions can be placed with the School Secretary. |
| FURTHER
INFORMATION ON WALDORF SCHOOLS,
Training Centres and Pre-School Initiatives
in Africa: | | SOUTHERN
AFRICA
Federation of Waldorf Schools in Southern Africa
4 Victoria
Rd, Plumstead, 7800 |
|
| EGYPT
Sekem School at Bilbels
P O Box 2834, El Horrya, Heliopolis, Egypt
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| |
KENYA
Nairobi Rudolf Steiner School
P O Box 15609, Nairobi, Kenya |
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| NAMIBIA
Kindergarten der Christengemeinschaft
P O Box 11359, Windhoek, Namibia
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| |
TANZANIA
Hekima Waldorf School
P O Box 13549, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania |
|
ZIMBABWE
15 Kerfield Lane, Borrowdale, Harare, Zimbabwe |
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