Touching on Anthroposophy and Waldorf Education
A good place to begin for Waldorfy newbies. These posts introduce our content and what we plan on exploring.
-
Why is everything natural in a Waldorf classroom?
Many parents who have a child attending a Waldorf school have a distinct memory of their first time seeing or visiting a Waldorf kindergarten. The early childhood rooms in every Waldorf school have such a distinct feel. It’s warm, inviting, and serene. From my experience as a parent witnessing little ones in this space, I believe it sparks a real sense of warmth and security that allows for the best expression of open-ended free play. In my last post on color, I discussed how much the color of the classrooms plays into the feeling within the space, but what about the contents of the room? The wood, the wool, the…
-
The Intentional Use of Color in the Waldorf Classroom
I have such fond memories of the Waldorf school I attended as a child. One of my most vivid memories is of the color of the classrooms where I learned to love learning. The first time I took my son to a parent and child class at a different Waldorf school, I noticed the same colors and shades welcoming me into the classroom. I observed, with the other parents, how our babies were calm and happy in the room, even on days they hadn’t napped or were teething. What was this magical aspect of the classroom? I knew it must have something to do with the color. What is…
-
Art and Waldorf Education
As a child art surrounded me. I grew up a child attending a Waldorf school. Art was part of my everyday. It was something to enjoy, something to participate in, and a way to connect with whatever I was learning. Ask many Waldorf students and they’ll tell you the way they learned to remember something such as times tables or the days of the week has a connection with colors, a song, or movement. What was Steiner’s intention in creating so much room for art in Waldorf Education? How do our brains make connections through art? Why is it beneficial to provide space for art in a child’s education?…
-
Anthroposophy and Waldorf Education, what’s the association?
One of the most common curiosities about Waldorf Education is it’s association with Anthroposophy. What is Anthroposophy? What is the Anthroposophical influence on Waldorf education? There are some that believe that a Waldorf School is a religious school. While a Waldorf education does account for all parts of a child’s development including spiritual, it isn’t a religious form of education. If you graduate from a Catholic School, you know what Catholicism is. My sisters and I went to a Waldorf school for eight years and when writing this post I asked both my sisters what Anthroposophy is and they literally had no idea. I thought this was an important…
-
Out there in the open. Welcome to Waldorfy.
Welcome to Waldorfy. It has been such a dream bringing this whole idea to fruition. I’m Ashley Renwick. I’m a Waldorf School alumna, turned mom. After experiencing the magic of being a “Waldorfy kid”, I was drawn to explore what it would mean to be a “Waldorfy parent”. If you’ve found Waldorfy you’ve probably heard about Waldorf education and are wondering what it is or what that means. Maybe you found some Waldorf toys, saw a Waldorf kindergarden, or have a full pintest board of all things Waldorf. Where ever you’re coming from I welcome you. This is a place for all to explore Waldorf education and anthroposophical ideas. In…
