Waldorf education, sometimes also known as Steiner education was introduced in the 20th century by Austrian Rudolf Steiner. It’s aim is to educate the whole child, mind, body and soul. Steiner believed that childhood could be broken into three stages and therefore education must needs reflect that belief. His Waldorf education style separates the stages as follows: Early childhood education, elementary education and secondary education. 

 

What is Waldorf Homeschooling

Waldorf homeschooling is an education within the home where parents adhere to the principles of Waldorf education. Waldorf education is not only limited to the home, there are many privately run preschools, elementary and high schools that teach children based on the Waldorf values. 

Steiner believed that childhood and therefore a child’s education could be divided into three cycles. He noted that each of these cycles is roughly seven years in length. In each stage a child would be introduced to topics and learning material that was developmentally appropriate. 

The cultivation of creativity and imagination is paramount in a Waldorf education, these skills will in turn develop high levels of intellect, practicality and artistic talents in it’s students. 

 

The First Waldorf Cycle: Preschool and Kindergarten

The  first cycle in the Waldorf educational philosophy is the preschool and kindergarten years. These are the first seven years of a child’s life. 

It is thought that in these very first years of a child’s life they will learn most rapidly and appropriately from the environment in which they live. This is very play focused. They are able to learn by following examples of every day activities. For example a Waldorf preschool environment may have a basket of clothes to hang on a small washing line, or an area where they are able to engage in imaginative play around a kitchen table complete with cups and bowls. 

Many Waldorf homeschools will include routines such as circle time, gardening, free play or art. 

Most of the resources used in a Waldorf homeschool are very simple and often sourced from natural materials. These may include items such and wooden blocks, plain fabric dolls with minimal embellishments. The reason for the draw towards natural and simple play items is that the natural items tie a child back to nature. The simplicity of the toys encourages the child to reach deeper into their own imaginations to create more meaning in their play. 

This early age also enjoys celebrating the seasonal changes which occur each year. This may be done through songs and dance or art activities. 

 

The Second Waldorf Cycle: The Elementary Years

It is only at this stage of a child’s development that Steiner felt a child was ready to begin formal education. He also believed that a child that was introduced to formal education before this time would be adversely effected. 

This second stage, also lasts for around seven years. 

Formal education in a Waldorf homeschool looks quite different to that of most traditional educational approaches. 

The first few hours of the day a for what is the main block of learning. However instead of learning being broken down into subjects it is instead presented as a theme. That theme is then taught over several weeks. For example you may choose to have a world folk tales theme. For a period of 3-4 weeks or so you will focus this time to this theme using it to perhaps introduce early reading and story telling or any other skill you may want to work on. 

Waldorf education encourages you to teach both the head, the heart and the hands. What this means is that each lesson should have an academic element, and movement element and a hands on element. Many Waldorf inspired homeschool’s do a large amount of art as a part of their lessons to cement and reinforce the knowledge from the lesson. One of the things that inspires me most about Waldorf homeschool’s is all the beautiful watercolour art the children produce. 

At the age their is still very little in the way on traditional text books used. Electronics are also not a main source of educational resources as they are thought to be detrimental to a child’s developmental needs. 

 

The Third Waldorf Cycle: The Secondary Years

The final in Steiner’s Waldorf cycles begins when a child is 14 years old. It is at this age the subjects are taught individually and academics are given a higher priority. 

Children are usually asked to understand abstract concepts and to have the maturity to form their own ideas and judgements. 

Although academics take priority here art, creativity and imagination continue to play a supporting feature of their education. 

 

What is Anthroposophy?

Long word right? Anthroposopy was coined by Rudolf Steiner before he introduced Waldorf education. Waldorf education was however somewhat inspired by anthroposophy. 

Anthroposophy holds that as humanity we have the ability to change the world. This is accomplished by nurturing one’s own spiritual self. It is to this end that a Waldorf education seeks to nurture within each child its spiritual nature so that they may in turn go out into society and help the further development of the world

 

Are Waldorf Schools Religious? 

In short no. Waldorf education does not prescribe itself to one particular religion. However the Waldorf educational philosophy works under the premise that everyone and everything has a spiritual nature to them. As with anything you can take and leave what you like. If this aspect makes you feel uncomfortable then just ignore it and teach as you would feel comfortable. That’s an awesome bonus as a homeschool parent, being able to teach to your own core beliefs. 

 

Resources to Start 

Waldorf homeschool’s are some of the most beautiful and inspirations homeschool’s you will ever find. Just do a quick search on instagram and you will be in love! 

Since many of the materials and resources used are natural and not cheap plastic they will often require a bit of an initial outlay but they will last for so much longer. Just imagine how adorable it will be to see your grandbabies playing with them in 30 years time! In saying that though you can totally work with a non-exisitant budget too. Remember Waldorf education is all about creativity and imagination! Scour second hand stores for tea sets and little jugs and bowls. You can surely find some sticks, yarn and pegs to build a little clothes line. Get creative and look on Pinterest if you need more inspiration. 

I will list below some of my favourites though. 

• Water colour paints: There is such a heavy influence of art in this method of schooling. A set of good quality water colours is a must. I have searched high and low for a set like this. I love that it has a beautiful wooden board for the child to place the paper on as well as a tray to hold the paint cups because we know how kids are when it comes to knocking over paint. This just makes feel like painting is a much more relaxing experience for everyone involved. 
• Beeswaxs Crayons: If you have never tried beeswax crayons then you are missing out. They are a million times better than anything Crayola has produced. I love the natural colours too which I think feels quite “Waldorf-y” These ones are nice and thick too which is great for little hands and it means they aren’t going to be easily broken and lots under the couch never to be seen again
• Rainbow Nesting blocks: My mother has a set of these that she picked up from a second hand shop years ago. I kid you not but as soon as any child under the age of about 6 comes to her house these are the first thing they go for. My kids have spent hours playing with this set. The use them as tunnels, racing cars, buildings for their action figures to jump off, you name it they’ve thought of it. 
• Wooden Blocks: These are another purchase that is a bit steep but will last a life time. I am pretty sure my Nana still had some wooden blocks from when my mother was a child. I love this set because there are 12 various shapes in the set. There’s nothing worse that getting a set of blocks and everything is either a rectangle or triangle with no variation is size. 
• Waldorf Dolls: You can’t have a Waldorf homeschool without the dolls. I don’t know, I guess you can but they really are quite adorable. I love this one here She is handmade and a reasonable price. She is the kind of doll my 7 year old would adore because she looks just like her. I also really love this set of 12 Waldorf dolls. These are mini dolls so would be fantastic for imaginative play while in a small place such as a car or plane. I think these would be perfect for taking to church for my kids. If you really want to spend some money you will love this gorgeous girl. I have a niece that has fiery red hair and I think this would be the perfect gift for her.