Philosophy of Waldorf Education No one can predict the exact nature of the challenges our children will face

in the future. Yet it is clear that intellectual flexibility, independent judgement and moral courage will be essential to their success as creative and responsible human beings. The Waldorf curriculum carefully balances academic, artistic and practical activities to prepare the child as thoroughly as possible for lifes experiences. Waldorf schooling also focuses upon nurturing the childs selfconfidence and self-reliance, while fostering his or her personal integrity and a sense of social and environmental interdependency and responsibility. Waldorf education is based on the profound insights of Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian educator, scientist and philosopher, regarding the nature of the developing child. The philosophy behind Waldorf Education recognizes that children have distinct, age-related educational and emotional needs according to their naturally unfolding stages of development. The subsequent findings of eminent child specialists such as Jean Piaget, David Elkind, Joseph Chilton Pearce, and members of the Gesell Institute confirm the soundness of Steiners approach. With more than 900 schools worldwide, including more than 120 in the United States, Waldorf education is the largest and fastest growing nonsectarian educational movement in the world. What is Steiner education? Steiner education... Works for all children irrespective of academic ability, class, ethnicity or religion; Takes account of the needs of the whole child academic, physical, emotional and spiritual; Is based on an understanding of the relevance of the different phases of child development; Develops a love of learning and an enthusiasm for school; Sees artistic activity and the development of the imagination as integral to learning; Is tried and tested and is part of state funded, mainstream provision in most European countries; Is respected worldwide for its ability to produce very able young people who have a strong sense of self and diverse capacities that enable them to become socially and economically responsible citizens. Who was Rudolf Steiner? Rudolf Steiner (1861 1925) was an innovative academic born in Austria whose ideas founded the basis of Anthroposophy. He applied his ideas to education as well as agriculture, medicine, architecture and social reform. The Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship acknowledges Rudolf Steiner as the founding inspiration of modern day Steiner schools, but does not promote Anthroposophy or endorse every aspect of it.