| Here are 10 important things you should know if | | | | hours a day with each subject block lasting 3 to 5 |
| you are considering Waldorf schools for your | | | | weeks. This way, children experience the |
| preschool and early elementary child: | | | | curriculum as deeply and vividly as possible. |
| 1) Developed by Rudolph Steiner in 1919, Waldorf | | | | 7) Activities that are seen as extras at many |
| programs aim to educate the whole child - "head, | | | | schools are core to Waldorf philosophy - art, |
| heart and hands." | | | | gardening, and foreign language. |
| 2) Classrooms are warm and homey, creative | | | | 8) In the early years, much learning takes place |
| play is the order of the day, with a strong dose | | | | through art versus lecturing and rote learning. All |
| of teamwork and community. | | | | children knit and play the recorder. The use of |
| 3) The teacher stays with the same class from | | | | electronic media by young children, especially TV, |
| preschool through eighth grade, which leads to a | | | | is discouraged in Waldorf Schools. |
| strong relationship where the teacher truly knows | | | | 9) In the early years, Waldorf schools don't use |
| your child. | | | | textbooks. Instead, children have their own "main |
| 4) Learning is hands on, through cooking, art | | | | lesson books" which the fill out during the year, |
| projects, storytelling, singing, puppet shows, dress | | | | recording their experiences. Later, textbooks are |
| up and play. | | | | introduced for certain classes such as math and |
| 5) Academics are not emphasized in the early | | | | grammar. |
| years, with reading readiness beginning in | | | | 10) Grades do not begin until middle school. |
| kindergarten and actual instruction starting in first | | | | Instead, teachers write detailed reports about |
| grade. | | | | each child's development and progress. |
| 6) "Main lessons" are taught in blocks of 1.5 to 3 | | | | |