The curriculum on this site is inspired by Waldorf education, but it is not true Waldorf. As I learned about Waldorf and the philosophy behind it, I embraced many of the educational elements. However, there were a few parts of its approach that I didn’t want to include in my homeschooling.
I think one of the most wonderful aspects of homeschooling is that everyone can tailor it to their beliefs and educational philosophies. Here I’ll explain what parts of Waldorf I’m keeping and which parts aren’t a fit for my family and the curriculum I publish on this site. Some of these items may not technically be part of the Waldorf philosophy, but are instead commonalities I’ve observed in the Waldorf community.
What I’m Using From Waldorf
Rhythms – I love incorporating seasonal experiences and a focus on celebrations and festivals within the seasons. I also like weekly and daily rhythms as well as rhythms within smaller parts of the day.
Early childhood filled with play and imagination – I believe play should be a child’s major activity before first grade. There will be plenty of time for my daughter to learn all she needs to know, but she only gets one childhood.
Hands/Heart/Head – Children learn through movement, emotions, and intellect at all ages, however, different stages of life are focused on one more than the others. In the first seven years of life, the child learns mainly through moving his or her body in play. During the next seven years, the child learns primarily through emotions, which is why there is a strong emphasis on imaginative stories and art work. From around age 14 and onward, learning is done in large part through the intellect.
Time spent in nature – I enjoy nature so much that I earned my masters degree in environmental education. Getting outside in nature was the first element of Waldorf that caught my attention and prompted me to learn more about Waldorf education.
Circle time – From kindergarten onward, the children begin their formal lessons for the day with circle time, which may include songs, verses, counting, etc. The activities warm up bodies and hearts and minds to prepare them for learning. Even though it will just be my daughter and myself, I’m still calling it circle time. Some families prefer to call it a warm up.
Formal education starting in first grade – When a child reaches the school year where he or she will be seven for the majority of it, first grade and formal education begin. It isn’t that the child isn’t being educated beforehand. It’s that the parent/teacher waits until first grade to prepare formal lessons in letters, math, and so on. At that point in life, the child’s body is not as focused on physical development, so more energy can be spent on academic activities. Also, the hands have developed enough to hold a pencil with the proper grip.
Learning blocks – Main lessons are taught one subject at a time for about three to four weeks. Then a subject is put to rest so it can integrate into the child’s mind while a new subject is picked up. Subjects repeat in cycles throughout a school year.
Main lesson books – Children do not use textbooks. Instead, they learn from their teacher and copy material into a blank book called a main lesson book. There is often one main lesson book for each subject, and the child fills it with illustrations and text.
Handwork and other art – Making beautiful things with the hands is a core part of Waldorf. From very early childhood, children are given opportunities to use watercolors, wool, yarn, and other materials. By the end of first grade, they are knitting, and they later learn to weave, cross stitch, and crochet. These activities tie in to other subjects like math, such as when counting knitting stitches. Making a circular motion in crochet contributes to writing in cursive. Children also learn perseverance in their work and feel a sense of accomplishment upon completion.
Music – In first grade, the child learns how to play the recorder. Other instruments are added throughout the grades. Common ones include harp, violin, and piano. At Waldorf schools, students might have the opportunity to play in an orchestra, but community orchestras or public school bands may be available for homeschool students to participate in.
Nature study and gardening – These activities build skills of observation and appreciation, working with ones hands, and providing beauty and nourishment.
Foreign language – Children learn one or more foreign languages. In the lower grades, it seems learning is done through songs and games rather than formal instruction. Festivals from the related cultures are celebrated by the family.
What I’m Not Using From Waldorf
Anthroposophy – This is a philosophy about contacting the spiritual world through the intellect. Since this doesn’t align with Christian views, I won’t be using it in my homeschool curriculum.
Eurythmy – This is a form of movement that seeks to use gestures and feelings to access spiritual forces. I’m not including this in my homeschool curriculum since it doesn’t align with Christianity.1
Positive view of magic – I’ve noticed it’s common for Waldorf educational materials to have stories with magic in them. Since witchcraft is opposed to Christianity, I’m avoiding stories with any kind of magic in them while my daughter is so young and impressionable. When she gets old enough to understand that there is no such thing as good magic, I’ll feel comfortable introducing classic stories like Cinderella, which has a fairy godmother that uses magic. We will also read books like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Lord of the Rings when she’s old enough to discuss the themes in them. The stories in the curriculum on this site might contain elements of fantasy, such as animals that speak, but they won’t contain magic.
What I’m Changing
Formal teaching of science and history/social studies starting in first grade – The American History curriculum I want to use is for K-12. In kindergarten, we’ll keep it simple by reading the recommended books, but I’m going to teach it, possibly in a project-based way, starting in first grade. Other than that, I’m leaning toward following the Waldorf sequence for history and social studies that begins in third grade. Waldorf education includes nature study and gardening before the regular science sequence starts in third grade, but I’m also going to start some sort of additional science education in first grade.
Science topics sequence – I haven’t decided what I’ll be doing for science because I’ve been dissatisfied with every K-12 science sequence I’ve seen so far, Waldorf or not. Since I studied science in college, I’m sure I’ll be able to write my own curriculum if I don’t find one to use.
Learning blocks – I’m planning to use learning blocks for form drawing, language arts, and math. The other subjects will likely be either short-term or year-round, depending on the subject.
Free Resource: Waldorf-Inspired Homeschool Vision
If you’re ready to brainstorm what you want a Waldorf-inspired education to look like for your child, I have a free resource in the Library you can use to jot down your ideas. Enter your password to access the Library, and then look for “Waldorf-Inspired Homeschool Vision.”
If you don’t have a password yet, you can get one by subscribing to Homeschool Rest and Restore by filling out the form below. I’ll also let you know about other free resources and new curriculum.
1https://eurythmyonline.com/what-is-eurythmy/