Introduction
Waldorf schools are schools are all over the world from the USA to Asia with about 1000 schools and nearly 2000 early childhood programs in over 70 countries including the Philippines and China.
Background
Waldorf education is an independent school movement developed in Europe nearly 100 years ago by Austrian philosopher, social reformer, and visionary, Rudolf Steiner.
History
Rudolf Steiner was an Austrian philosopher born in 1861. He obtained a doctorate degree from the University of Rostock. He considered himself a spiritual researcher and clairvoyant.
Living during the First World War, Steiner’s work focused on developing ideas for humanity to work and live together in harmony while bringing peace and stability to the world. His main work was the development of anthroposophy founded on the idea that both humanity and the universe consists of both a material and spiritual world and that it was possible to develop a sense of connectedness with that spiritual world. It looked to recognise the uniqueness of each individual and provide a path to find personal growth and spiritual freedom.
Anthroposophy is not a religion and thrives across the world in an array of belief cultures centered around reincarnation, karma and the cosmos. There is no requirement to “believe” or follow a set of particular rules. Instead the philosophy is designed for people to draw from, either individually or with others, and assist them with their own personal development. It advocates certain practices to develop a connection with ones spiritual self, such as meditation.
Steiner also applied his thoughts and ideas to a number of areas of life including education, agriculture, medicine, architecture and social reform.
Although Waldorf educatiom draws on elements of anthroposophy in how and what to teach children, anthroposophy is not taught nor are teachers required to be “anthroposophists” although many do study Steiner’s lectures and writings beyond his lectures on education and use them to inform their understanding of the children they are teaching and themselves.
The first Waldorf school opened in Stuttgart in 1919 for children of workers at the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory. The school’s benefactor was managing director, Emil Molt, who asked Steiner to found and lead the school in its early stages. The idea was that children from all echelons of society should learn together.
From that first school and the ideas provided by Rudolf Steiner, a worldwide movement of schools was inspired that promote universal human values, educational pluralism and meaningful teaching and learning opportunities.
