| The Steiner Waldorf approach to education | | | | is discouraged at this age. |
| emphasizes on the use of practical, artistic and | | | | Elementary education |
| conceptual elements into education. This method | | | | Elementary education should be more imaginative |
| of education was established by Rudolf Steiner, | | | | and artistic so that the child gets an idea of life |
| the founder of a philosophy called anthrophosophy. | | | | and the surrounding world, and develops their own |
| The Steiner Waldorf approach is based on the | | | | ideas. Typical activities at this age would involve |
| fact that the role of imagination in learning is | | | | visual arts, drama, vocal and instrumental music |
| integral for the development of creative and | | | | and crafts. The lessons being taught here are not |
| analytical thinking. This educational approach is | | | | based on standardized textbooks but each child is |
| aimed at providing an environment where young | | | | made to create their own list of coursework. |
| people can develop free thinking, which can be a | | | | Each child is allowed to learn in their own pace to |
| basis for developing their own personalities as | | | | allow the child to grasp the concepts or learn a |
| responsible individuals by fulfilling their destiny. | | | | skill based on their capabilities. |
| The Steiner Waldorf approach to education is | | | | High school learning |
| based on scientific study of the development of | | | | High school learning, during adolescence, should be |
| children’s learning capabilities. Three major | | | | based on ethical ideas and social responsibility as |
| stages have been observed in the developmental | | | | the youth should develop the capacity for |
| stages of a child and particular methods of | | | | abstract thought and conceptual judgment. This |
| learning which are most effective to that stage | | | | level of education has a higher concentration on |
| are identified in this approach. Early childhood | | | | academic subjects. |
| learning is the stage for children below 7 years of | | | | Since the establishment of the first Waldorf |
| age, elementary learning is for children between 7 | | | | School in 1919 the numbers of schools have been |
| and 14 years, and high school level education is | | | | increasing exponentially worldwide. This is the |
| for adolescents. | | | | world’s largest independent educational |
| Early childhood learning | | | | system. The idea behind Steiner Waldorf approach |
| Learning in early childhood should be practical | | | | to education resonates with the modern idea of |
| activity oriented as the learning in this stage is | | | | homeschooling. Both emphasize on an |
| largely sensory based. In a typical Waldorf school, | | | | environment where a child learns on his or her |
| the classroom environment is homelike, includes | | | | own capabilities. Both philosophies emphasize that |
| natural materials, and provides examples of | | | | children should not be forced to study before |
| productive work in which children can take part. | | | | they are ready to learn. The curriculum in both |
| There are lots of outdoor activities involved | | | | can be varied to according to specific needs. Both |
| accompanied by songs, poems and games. There | | | | the methods stress the importance of teachers |
| will be specific times for stories and fairytales to | | | | engaging with each child individually to ensure they |
| encourage imaginative thinking. Exposure to | | | | are treated as individuals. |
| normal media like television and mainstream music | | | | |