Each Waldorf teacher holds a reverence and respect for the special qualities of each stage of childhood; this is manifested in their love, patience and kindness towards the children. Everything is done with intention, creating an environment in which the wonder of childhood is embraced and the children flourish. By nourishing the mind and the senses through a healthy, beauty-filled environment, Waldorf programs foster the development of the whole child. Waldorf grades teachers will ideally guide their class from Grade 1 through to Grade 7, thereby knowing each child and striving to bring out the best in each of them.
AWSNA Guiding Principles
Founded in the early 20th century, Waldorf education is based on the insights and teachings of world-renowned artist and scientist, Rudolf Steiner. Guided by these insights, AWSNA members have adopted the following seven AWSNA Principles for Waldorf Schools. These principles articulate the most important values that inform the policies and practices of Waldorf schools in North America and are held as a central tenet of our schools’ accreditation process.
These are the AWSNA Guiding Principles:
1. The image of the human being as a spiritual being informs every aspect of the school.
2. Waldorf schools foster social renewal by cultivating human capacities in service to the individual and society.
3. Anthroposophical understanding of child development guides the educational program.
4. Waldorf schools support freedom in teaching within the context of the school’s shared agreements.
5. The conscious development of human relationships fosters individual and community health.
6. Spiritual development in support of professional growth is an ongoing activity for the faculty, staff, and board.
7. Collaboration and shared responsibility provide the foundations of school leadership and governance.
For more detailed information around each of these principles, please visit the Waldorf Education website.
These are the AWSNA Guiding Principles:
1. The image of the human being as a spiritual being informs every aspect of the school.
2. Waldorf schools foster social renewal by cultivating human capacities in service to the individual and society.
3. Anthroposophical understanding of child development guides the educational program.
4. Waldorf schools support freedom in teaching within the context of the school’s shared agreements.
5. The conscious development of human relationships fosters individual and community health.
6. Spiritual development in support of professional growth is an ongoing activity for the faculty, staff, and board.
7. Collaboration and shared responsibility provide the foundations of school leadership and governance.
For more detailed information around each of these principles, please visit the Waldorf Education website.
Waldorf Education Explained...
This wonderful video explains Waldorf Education in just 4 minutes...with some clarification on the line "Factual knowledge, homework and test scores receive less attention."
- BC Waldorf schools are Waldorf certified and also follow BC Curriculum. Factual knowledge is learned, but it is not front loaded, instead, it is experienced.
- Testing is done but test scores themselves are not shared with the children so they are never focused on what their grades are, but are instead fully engaged in learning.
- Homework is given, but not until Grade 5 when we begin building up these capacities in preparation for when they leave our school after Grade 7 for High School.
Why Waldorf: A Short film by the Marin Waldorf School
Preparing for Life: A documentary by the Waldorf School of the Peninsula
A CNN News Story about "The Waldorf Way"
Media and Waldorf Education
Waldorf Links
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Waldorf Articles
- Waldorf Publications and the Research Institute for Waldorf Education
- A Silicon Valley School That Doesn’t Compute
- Have you Hear about Waldorf Education? - A wonderful article that sets the record straight by dispelling the many myths and misconceptions about Waldorf Schools.
- Biological Foundations for Self-Directed Education - Four powerful innate drives that lead children to educate themselves
- A Distinctive Education: Ten Key Points
- 7 Benefits of Waldorf`s ``Writing to Read``
Recommended Books
- In a Nutshell – Dialogues with Parents at Acorn Hill, A Waldorf Kindergarten – By Nancy Foster
- The Developing Child – The First Seven Years
- Seven Times the Sun – Guiding your Child Through the Rhythms of the Day – Shea Darian
- Waldorf Parenting Handbook – Useful Information on Child Development and Education from Anthroposophical Sources – Lois Cusick
- School Renewal - A Spiritual Journey for Change - Torin Finer
- Heaven on Earth - A Handbook for Parents of Young Children - Sharifa Oppenheimer
- What is a Waldorf Kindergarten? - Shafira Oppenheimer and Joan Almon
- Understanding Waldorf Education - Teaching from the Inside Out - Jack Petrash