A Brief History of Waldorf Education

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), an Austrian philosopher, educator, scientist, artist, and the founder of Waldorf education, emphasized the importance of achieving balance in the three different means by which a person relates to the world—through the realm of thinking, through the life of feelings, and through physical activity. This head, heart, and hands synergy nurtures the child's self-reliance, while building personal integrity and a sense of social responsibility.

To mentor individuals capable of clear, creative thought and expression and imbued with the self-confidence to meet the challenges of our rapidly changing world is the responsibility of the truly caring educator. With this goal in mind, Waldorf schools strive to develop the child's full human potential. With more than 900 Waldorf schools worldwide and about 250 Waldorf schools and initiatives in North America, Waldorf education is the fastest-growing educational movement in the world.

In 1919 Rudolf Steiner was asked to apply his insights into the human being and the developing child to the founding of a new kind of educational system. The Waldorf curriculum carefully balances academic, artistic, and practical activities to prepare the student as thoroughly as possible for the flexibility needed to meet all life experiences, while at the same time instilling a life-long love of learning.

Subsequent findings of eminent child specialists such as Jean Piaget, David Elkind, Joseph Chilton Pearce, and members of the Gesell Institute confirm the soundness of Steiner's approach.

Click Here for more history from the AWSNA site.

Updated 4/08