Waldorf Education Waldorf Education Much of the mainstream educational focus today is on "measurable outcomes": standardized test scores, placement on achievement curves and marketable skills. Along these lines, mainstream education seems to concern itself not with the question of "What does your child need to learn and grow?" But rather with the question, "How does your child measure up? And how well can your child be made to fit the current needs of the marketplace?" The unique skills and capabilities nascent in each young person are meaningful in the context of how they impact test scores and the state and federal monies that follow. The individual needs of students are but an afterthought. You can almost hear them say, "Studying violin or a foreign language is unnecessary. Recess and free play takes too much time away from more important learning." Waldorf Education engages children in a rigorous, inspiring educational journey which begins with school but is meant to last a lifetime. Founded nearly 90 years ago, Waldorf education was created with the intention of meeting society’s needs in a new way – by fostering healthy, whole, truly free human beings. Thus, central to the pedagogy of Waldorf education is the concept that we must teach to the whole child: head, heart, and hands. It is a multi-sensory approach, working out of the knowledge that each child has unique gifts, which may be naturally expressed when a healthy, safe and nurturing environment exists. By integrating the nourishment of the spiritual and physical aspects of the child with the development of the intellectual capacities, knowledge is made less alienating and learning becomes a lifelong passion. Each piece of the curriculum is carefully designed to meet the needs of the growing child in a developmentally appropriate way. In this way, we educate healthy, whole human beings and in turn, plant the seeds for a healthy future for society. Waldorf Education develops a love for learning through discovery Builds self-assurance by learning through experience Develops creative thinking by integrating artistic process in all subjects Combines arts, sciences and the humanities to introduce all important branches of knowledge Waldorf education enables each child's potential to unfold by developing their creative and imaginative capacities while building a strong academic foundation. Waldorf education leads a child to a balanced development of clear, precise thought, rich and healthy emotional life, and a strong, active will (initiative). Such an approach prepares the child to creatively meet the practical challenges of the world. The academic curriculum integrates arts, sciences and humanities, brings vitality to learning, balances intellectual development, and generates a genuine inner enthusiasm. Every child has a spiritual nature, and we nourish this through art, reverence for nature and respect for all human beings. Waldorf Education develops lifelong creativity in young people by cultivating: Inner enthusiasm for learning Rigorous, clear thinking Creative problem solving Respect and appreciation for the world and the uniqueness of all people Initiative and responsibility