Thursday: Waldorf - A Comparison To Other Types Of Education

A UK Department for Education and Skills report noted significant differences in curriculum and pedagogical approach between Waldorf/Steiner and mainstream schools and recommended that schools in the state sector could benefit from the following elements of Waldorf education:

• early introduction and approach to modern foreign languages;
• the combination of block (class) and subject teaching for younger children;
• development of speaking and listening through an emphasis on oral work;
• the good pacing of lessons through an emphasis on rhythm;
• the emphasis on child development guiding the curriculum and examinations;
• the approach to art and creativity;
• the attention given to teachers’ reflective activity and heightened awareness (in collective child study for example);
• and collegial structure of leadership and management, including collegial study.

(From Waldorf Education on Wikipedia)

============

At Montgomery Academy, I do try to use the emphasis of rhythm to our daily routine as well as to the rhthym of the year, and an emphasis on art and creativity. I also try to be reflective of the children's actions both during classroom time and the way that I approach my lesson planning.