Waldorf Curriculum

Hannah Heissel

Who developed Waldorf Curriculum?

Rudolf Steiner

Austrian
philosopher,
educator, scientist,
and artist

Steiners Philosophy
The human being is a threefold
being of spirit, soul, and body whose
capacities unfold in three
developmental stages on the path to
adulthood: early childhood, middle
childhood, and adolescence.

Waldorf Education is based on an

understanding of human development that
addresses the needs of the growing child.
Waldorf teachers strive to transform education
into an art that educates the whole childthe
heart and the hands, as well as the head.
"Waldorf Education: An Introduction."Why Waldorf Works. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/02_w_education/>.

What makes Waldorf Early Childhood

Education Waldorf?

Love and warmth

Environment that
nourishes senses
Creative and artistic
experiences
Meaningful adult
activity to be imitated
Free, imaginative play

Protection for the forces

of childhood
Gratitude, reverence, and
wonder

Joy, humor, and

happiness
Adult caregivers pursuing
a path of inner
development

Characteristics of Waldorf
Curriculum
Waldorf schools work with an integrated balance of artistic, practical
and intellectual content in the curriculum with an emphasis on social
skills and spiritual values
Waldorf education is based on Steiners profound insights into the
human being and the nature of the developing child.
Waldorf schools strive to develop the childs full human potential. By
building on a childs natural curiosity, sense of wonder and love of
learning, the whole child is educated-body, mind, and spirit.
Is broad and comprehensive

Structured to respon to the 3 developmental phases of childhood

Birth

to 6 or 7, 7-14, 14-18

Characteristics Continued

Every subject is taught

artistically using:

Movement
Drawing
Painting
Music
Story telling
Rhythm

Teachers bring the

material to life and
endow the
developing child with
a lifelong sense of
wonder and a joy of
learning.

Tuitio
n

Monthl Annual Enrollm

y
Paymen
ent
Paymen
t by
Deposit
t
August
(per
1st
family)

2 Half-Day
Kindergart
en

$4, 210

$322

$4,125

$350

2 Full-Day
Kindergart
en

$5,480

$428

$5,370

$350

3 Half-Day
Kindergart
en

$6,200

$488

$6,076

$350

3 Full-Day
Kindergart
en

$8,110

$646

$7,948

$350

5 Half-Day
Kindergart
en

$9,230

$740

$9,045

$350

Disadvantage

Based on
Minnesota Waldorf
School

Disadvantages Continued

Additional Expenses at Minnesota Waldorf School:

Instrument Rental and Lessons

Extended Care

Parents are responsible for purchasing or renting an

instrument
Children 4th -8th grade are required to take prive lessons in
addition to music classes in school
$6 per hour (pre-planned)
$7 per hour (drop-in care)

Tutoring

Sessions are subsidized by the school but fees apply

A Waldorf Classroom

Walls are painted in lively colors and adorned with

student artwork
Evidence of student activity is found everywhere
Every desk holds a uniquely created main lesson book
Blackboards with colorful chalk
Bookshelves with encyclopedias
Wooden desks filled with workbooks and No. 2 pencils

Images from: "Waldorf Education in a Nutshell."Moon Child Blog Bella

Luna Toys Sarah Baldwin RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
<http://blog.bellalunatoys.com/2010/waldorf-education.html>.

The Art of Being a Waldorf

Curriculum Teacher

Teachers strive to transform education into an art that

educates the whole child
Teachers are interested in students as individuals; they are
interested in questions like:

How do we establish within each child his/her own high level of

academic excellence?
How do we call forth enthusiasm for learning and work, a healthy
self awareness, interest, and concern for fellow human beings,
and a respect for the world?

Are dedicated to generating an inner enthusiasm for

learning within every child

Becoming a Waldorf Teacher

Most programs lead to a Certificate in

Waldorf Education while others offer the
option of earing a Masters degree

Sidenote

Steiner stressed to teachers that the best way to provide

meaningful support for the child is to comprehend these
phases fully and to bring age appropriate content to
the children that nourishes healthy growth.
Steiners advice to the fist Waldorf kindergarten teacher
in 1920 was:

Observe the children, actively mediate, follow your

intuitions, work so that all your actions are worthy of
imitation

Key Concepts

Steiners philosophy
What makes up Waldorf Education
Essential Phases of Child Development