Waldorf
General Philosophy
Educators take into account children's spirits and bodies as well as their minds. Daily and cyclical rhythms are stressed, schedules closely followed, and TV and computer games discouraged.
How It Plays Out in the Classroom
Children play with nature: Blocks are wooden, dolls are cloth, and Play-Doh is eschewed in favor of beeswax. You'll find twigs, rocks, and leaves in classrooms instead of conventional toys.
The Fine Print
There is reverence for storytelling, nature, and the arts—but literacy is not stressed. (These schools don't believe children are developmentally ready to read until age 7.)
Sticks and Stones (and Criticism)
With its classrooms often abuzz with the chatter of gnomes, fairies, and other imaginary creatures, Waldorf in the wrong hands can turn into New Age for the underage.
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