Waldorf School

Modern education puts many parents at a dead end in a variety of approaches to the development and upbringing of the child. In the last century, a huge number of theories and systems of education have been created in pedagogy, each of which has the right to exist. In particular, today the free Waldorf school enjoys great popularity in many countries. Its principles and peculiarities will be discussed later.

Valdorsfka school - its essence and origin

One of the world's largest education systems owes its existence to the thinker from Austria Rudolf Steiner. The philosopher and author of many books and lectures on religion, economy and science, he created anthroposophy ("anthropos" - man, "sophia" - wisdom) - a teaching whose goal is to reveal the abilities sleeping in a person with the help of special approaches and exercises. In 1907, Steiner published his first book on education. And in 1919 in the German city of Stuttgart a school was founded, based on his pedagogical principles. This event was aided by the request of Emil Molta, who in this city was the owner of the cigarette factory "Waldorf-Astoria". Since then the name Waldorf does not only mean the name of the school, but is also a trademark.

The Waldorf Method Principles

What is the Waldorf method, which has been around the world for a century now?

The principles of Waldorf pedagogy are quite simple: the child is given the opportunity to develop at his own pace, not trying to run ahead and not "pumping" the head with knowledge. Great attention is paid to spiritual development and individual approach to each student. In other words, the essence of Waldorf pedagogy is based on the following indestructible principles:

1. The principle of "harmonization of spiritual life." One of the main goals of teachers is equal development of will, feelings and thinking. Teachers know how these qualities manifest themselves at different ages and give them time according to the maturity of the students.
2. Teaching "epochs". This name has periods of training, which are approximately 3-4 weeks. At the end of each "era," children feel not fatigue, but a surge of energy, realizing that something they could achieve.
3. The principle of "harmonization of the social environment." In other words, teachers pay great attention to the environment of the child, so that nothing can press on him and do not interfere with the development of his personality.
4. Increased requirements for the personality of the teacher. Walldorf Pedagogy implies that training can be carried out only by the person who himself is constantly improving and developing.
5. Individual approach to the child. The principle of "do no harm" in this case extends to the mental and mental health of the student. For example, a learning system without ratings gives you the chance to become self-reliant to someone who is weaker than others. The only acceptable competition in the school is the struggle of today's ones with oneself with yesterday, the improvement of successes and achievements.
6. Team work. Harmonic personality development is greatly facilitated by group work, which makes it possible to make the class friendly and non-conflicting. This includes music classes, Boomer gymnastics, eurythmy, choral singing, etc. The main factor that unites children is the authority of the teacher, who is close by for many years of training.

The technology of the Waldorf school is not recognized by many adherents of classical teaching. However, there are adherents of its features:

1. The class teacher (the same person, teacher and guardian in one person for eight years) leads the first lesson for two hours. The first lesson in school is always the main one.
2. If in ordinary schools the academic subjects are paramount, then in the Waldorf school more attention is paid is given to art, music, foreign languages, etc.
3. There are no textbooks in the school. Workbook is the main tool. It is a kind of diary in which children reflect their experience and what they have learned. Only at the senior level there are few books on basic subjects.

Today, the association of Waldorf schools around the world is an educational institution in which children are respected and do not deprive their child. The main goal of Steiner's followers is to develop in the child the nature of the ability and to prepare as much as possible for an adult conscious life.