Waldorf Pedagogy

Rudolf Steiner was the creator of a religious-mystical teaching, called anthroposophy. He placed the spiritual world at the forefront, considering the physical world to be only a weak reflection of it. Waldorf pedagogy was based precisely on the principles of anthroposophy.

The first Waldorf school, based ondeveloped by Steiner principles, was opened in 1919. Her students were the children of workers of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart (Germany). Actually, this is what was the source of the name of the school and the entire pedagogical method. Sometimes Waldorf pedagogy is also called Steiner - by the name of the founder.

Waldorf Pedagogy is based on the principle Providing the child with all opportunities for development at a natural pace - artificially advance and accelerate developmentthe child does not follow. Schools are equipped with natural materials, preference is given to unprepared benefits and toys - they help to develop the child's imagination.

The training material is being studied blocks ("epochs") - within 2-4 weeks children study in depthone school subject, "plunging" into it. Auxiliary subjects that require continuous study (mathematics, languages, eurythmy, physical education, subjects of the aesthetic cycle) are built on a weekly schedule, but do not dominate the subject whose unit is currently in training. When submitting the training material, the correspondence between the development of the child and the development of the historical society is taken into account.

Steiner believed that the excess of mental activity worsens the child's condition, so it needs to be balanced by active physical activity. Therefore, the school day at Waldorf school is subordinated special rhythm, providing a smooth transition from mental to physical activity. It is divided into three main stages:

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  the main lesson (active thinking - studying the main subject);
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  rhythmic repetition (music, foreign languages, physical culture, painting, eurythmy - the art of the art movement created by Steiner);
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  Practical activities (manual labor, needlework, gardening, craft, etc.).

Up to 12 years Waldorf pedagogy prefers development of emotional memory, rejecting the method of visual training. To facilitate the memorization process it is suggested to use rhythmic movements. The education of junior schoolchildren (up to 9 years) is based on moving games, imitation and fairy tales. Since the age of 9, serious subjects have been gradually introduced into the program: first zoology and regional studies, then history, botany and geography.

Waldorf pedagogy assigns the teacher very muchimportant role. Up to grade 7, almost all subjects in children are taught by the same teacher. To his personality are high demands: he must constantly improve, control his behavior, so as not to allow a negative impact on the pupils. Very important individual approach to each child. Waldorf schools do not grade, butthe child is never compared with other students - it is only possible to compare his real successes with the past. Much attention is paid to the joint activity of children for the development of mutual respect, mutual understanding, and the ability to work in a team.

Waldorf Pedagogy repeatedly criticized for her "detachment" from real life andAn appeal to fictional concepts developed by Steiner in the framework of his anthroposophical theory. In addition, the Christian church classifies Waldorf schools as sects. In Waldorf schools they learn to read rather late. The transition from the Waldorf school to the ordinary can be difficult.

Despite this, Waldorf pedagogy has many adherents in different countries of the world. Now in more than 60 countries there is more 950 recognized independent schools and 1,400 independent Waldorf kindergartens. They constitute one of the largest independent educational systems. There are Waldorf schools in Russia.

Should I give the child to Waldorf school? This is up to the parents. Here a lot depends on the personality of the child himself: someone will do Waldorf school or kindergarten for good, and for some, Waldorf pedagogy will prove ineffective. But if you all decided to give preference to this system, be sure that the school you have chosen has a license and accreditation - schools without accreditation do not have the right to issue a certificate of secondary education of the state sample.