Waldorf education is based on the thoughts and teachings of Austrian educator and philosopher rudolf steiner, who opened his first school in Stuttgart on 19 19. Steiner's school focuses on the development of "the whole child", rather than the narrow academic focus prevailing in Germany.
According to the data of the public Waldorf Education Alliance, there are nearly 65,438+0,200 Waldorf schools and more than 65,438+0,900 Waldorf kindergartens in the world today. There are about 130 public and private Waldorf schools in the United States. The North American Association of Waldorf Schools stated that its schools provide "educational methods suitable for development, experience and academic rigor".
Parents who visit Waldorf School will see classrooms with open spaces, objects made of natural materials, natural light and soft colors. Students can participate in the whole course under the guidance of teachers, and continue to cooperate with their peers while exploring the theme of the course through materials and activities.
The learning environment usually extends to the outdoors, because Waldorf School embraces practical learning and contact with nature. At all grades, basic values include respecting the changing stages of each child's development and the importance of interpersonal relationships.
"Waldorf classroom is a safe space, and faculty members respect children's innocence and imagination; Support the development, curiosity and empathy of primary school students at all stages of growth; And inspire young people's ability and participation in the world, "Samantha Cosentino, marketing director of Waldorf School in San Francisco, wrote in an email.
? What is Waldorf education? The core of Steiner's philosophy is that he believes that three stages of development-early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence-are essential for the best learning. Steiner believes that schools should introduce specific subjects at specific stages.
Waldorf education experts say that these schools emphasize all-round education for children. The main courses last for several weeks. Creative arts such as painting, painting, language learning, music and drama support the main courses and provide students with a variety of ways to learn materials. Then students continue to explore courses through physical education and sports skills, including physical education, architecture, dance and gardening.
This model is a thematic approach. Students are immersed in learning and have time to fully explore and understand the content.
"This allows each student to use different admission channels to obtain materials," said Kimberly Waqiong, an alumnus of Waldorf School, who was a teacher of Waldorf and is now a doctor of education at the University of California, Santa Cruz. "Students must really participate and participate in their education."
? What can parents expect at Waldorf School? Parents can expect Waldorf School to attach importance to interpersonal relationships and cultivate opportunities for exploration. Teachers in Waldorf schools usually stay in the same class for many years instead of teaching a certain grade. Cosentino said that this design has proved to be beneficial.
"There is a new teacher every year, and expectations and personality will take up class time to sort out," she said. "With the change of children and the formation of new abilities and interests, the class teacher has been understanding students for many years, so he can understand them more quickly and provide support."
Observation has also replaced many standardized tests, but public schools still have to comply with state and federal requirements. Rebecca Moskowitz, executive director of North American Waldorf School Association Development, said that observation is a solid foundation for students' evaluation.
"Teachers have the ability to evaluate students comprehensively and accurately," she said. "These assessments have been supported by teachers' meetings and class meetings throughout the year. "
Unlike most traditional schools, in many primary and secondary schools, computers and technology are not part of the daily learning experience in Waldorf classrooms. Moscovitz said that this technology was used later. "In high school, computers and digital AIDS are used as interdisciplinary teaching tools in the classroom, which can teach computer courses," she said.
? The advantages and disadvantages of Waldorf education are the same as all educational concepts. Waldorf schools have both positive and negative aspects. Advocates like Moscovitz say that its holistic approach-balancing academic subjects with artistic and practical activities-helps to cultivate a love of learning.
"Activities to deepen and improve people's understanding of the world we live in coexist with traditional core academic subjects," she said.
Cosentino said that the mobility and versatility of Waldorf education help to send students to all parts of the world, ready to interact with the community and receive further education.
"Although traditional education may involve teaching ... towards certain benchmarks, Waldorf education relies on time-tested courses, and its graduates have always been described as keen, thoughtful, extraordinary, skilled and kind-hearted young people," she said. "They proved that if all students' needs are met, academic standards will be reached."
Some common shortcomings associated with Waldorf schools are the same as many parents like, such as the lack of attention to technology and standardized tests, and children's early attention to imaginative games (formal reading teaching does not begin until the first grade). Some families may also deal with the same teacher year after year, although this is usually regarded as an advantage.
Since many Waldorf schools are private, tuition fees may also be an obstacle for some parents. For example, at the Waldorf School in Baltimore, according to its website, the tuition fee for the 202 1-22 school year exceeded $20,000, despite financial assistance.
Despite this, supporters still say that Waldorf education provides space for children to explore. "The comprehensive curriculum aims to respect childhood and support every student's interest," Cosentino said.