What is Waldorf Education?

Waldorf education is an international movement founded in the early 20th century by Austrian philosopher, educator and scientist, Rudolf Steiner. The first Waldorf school was established in 1919 in Stuttgart, Germany, and its approach was based on Steiner's educational teachings, lectures and insights.

The Waldorf curriculum is based on sound principles of child development and endeavors to nourish all aspects of the human being. Waldorf and Waldorf-based schools integrate art, music, movement, stories and folklore, theater and dance, along with the sciences and connection to nature, to foster holistic and creative individuals.

Waldorf and Waldorf-inspired schools are found across the world, and represent one of the fastest-growing independent educational movements.

For more information about Waldorf education, see:

• Association of Waldorf Schools of North American (AWSNA)
• Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN)

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What Does It Mean to Be Waldorf-Inspired?

Our preschool and daycare programs follow many of the recommendations of fully accredited Waldorf preschool and kindergarten programs around the world, such as:

• Developing practical life skills like food preparation, cleaning, washing, gardening, building, repairing and sewing. Along with healthy play, these activities provide the pre-academic skills needed to prepare for higher learning later in life

 

• Exposure to a variety of sensory and experiential opportunities, such as creative play, household tasks, exploration in nature, sand and water play, oral storytelling, puppetry, artistic expression, drama and music.

 

• Consistent daily and weekly rhythms that tap into our innate human evolutionary experience, fostering a sense of security in children and that balance active and quiet activities.

 

• An emphasis on human relationships, rather than technology, including warm speech, live singing, verses and storytelling. At Prairie Flower, we are television- and video-free. Why? Because a significant body of research over the past 30 years suggests that exposing young children to too much screen time -- whether television, computer, smartphone or other digital medium -- can negatively affect their development in a range of ways, from impairing memory, language development and attention to inhibiting social interaction, communication skills and problem-solving.
  

 

• Recent research from the University of Calgary, for instance, followed nearly 2,500 mothers and their young children starting at age 2 until they were 5 years old looking at screen time and developmental progress. The researchers found a strong link between screen time and poorer developmental progress that couldn't be overcome even when parents' education, children's activity levels and frequency of parents reading to their children were accounted for. Researcher Sheri Madigan says: “The results show that there is a lasting influence of screen time, especially when children are two to five years old, when their brains are undergoing a period of tremendous development."

 

• On-going festivals and celebrations that honor the various cultural backgrounds of our families and the cycling of the seasons. We also celebrate children's and teachers' birthdays in the traditional Waldorf manner.

 

• Simple toys of natural materials that foster imagination and creativity. These open-ended playthings honor childhood by allowing children to fully engage their own imaginations. Silk and gauze cloths become capes, wings, sleeping bags and cocoons. Pieces of wood can be boats, firewood, babies and much else besides. Play stands provide frameworks for any number of structures.