Waldorf in the Home

Rahima responds:
In my understanding, the term "Waldorf" refers to an approach to education that takes its inspiration from the understanding of the human being and ways to meet the needs of the growing child that were articulated by Rudolf Steiner and manifested in the first "Waldorf School," which was so named because the first students were children of the employees of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart, Germany. The terms "Waldorf education" and "Steiner education" came into general use to refer to both the "pedagogy" (methods) and the growing collection of schools, which now form the largest and fastest- growing nonsectarian school movement in the world.

It is my belief that the principles of Waldorf education are universal. The understanding of the human being is not limited to Middle European or even Western children. My book, You Are Your Child's First Teacher, on Steiner's indications from birth through age six, has been translated into Japanese, Korean and Thai, so it is clearly striking a chord in those countries! When Waldorf schools arise in other countries, the curriculum needs to be adapted to reflect the fairy tales, geography, and cultural complexity of that area, just as it needs to be adapted to meet the technological advances of our time.

Because the principles behind Waldorf education are universal, they can also be applied in any setting--private schools, public schools and home schooling. That is, a teacher can practice "Waldorf education" in any setting by using methods and curriculum derived from the understanding of the human being and child development that Rudolf Steiner pioneered.

When the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) trademarked the term "Waldorf" as it applies to schools, some newly-developing schools tried to circumvent the restrictions by calling themselves "Waldorf-Inspired Schools." AWSNA established the trademark restrictions out of concern for maintaining quality and name-recognition, peremptorily limiting its use to the independent Waldorf schools in North America who are its members. AWSNA member schools wanted new initiatives to wait until they had attained a level of maturity as organizations (and recognition by their peers) before using the term "Waldorf" in their name or byline. In fact, "Waldorf-inspired" is also unacceptable in a byline. However, a fledgling school is free to describe its intention to offer a Waldorf curriculum, etc. in its literature.

AWSNA was also concerned about the growing charter school movement that was adopting Waldorf methods. In that case the concern was about the level of freedom from government interference that is possible for a school to have while receiving public funding. AWSNA takes the position that in a Waldorf School the faculty should be free - free to make the key decisions about the teaching, hiring of teachers, and admission of students, and free to study the Anthroposophical foundations of Waldorf education as a faculty.

There is a strong presumption on the part of AWSNA that this freedom is necessarily lacking in a publicly-funded school. I, personally, think it's better to judge individual cases, because the state requirements for charter schools vary so widely from state to state, and much depends on the local relationships as well. Some charter schools enjoy quite a lot of freedom, while others are pretty restricted. Certainly it is possible for Waldorf schools to operate with state funding, because most of the Waldorf schools in Western Europe are heavily subsidized by their governments.

However, none of the above relates to the question of Waldorf education in the home. While AWSNA has never taken a position on Waldorf home schooling, it DID adopt a position clearly stating that "Waldorf education" may be practiced in many settings, depending on the capacity and depth of understanding of the teachers (or parents) involved. Meaning, as I said above, a teacher can practice "Waldorf education" in any setting by using methods and curriculum derived from the understanding of the human being and child development that Rudolf Steiner pioneered.

WWSS? What Would Steiner Say? What would he say about the term "Waldorf" being reserved in this country exclusively for private schools that charge $10,000-$17,000 a year for tuition, and thereby set up tremendous financial and cultural barriers to the education that he hoped would become a model for all schools? What would he say about "Waldorf parenting?" I think he might smile about that one, but at least it's not "Steiner parenting," as Steiner never had any children.

What would Steiner say about home schooling? Waldorf education in a private Waldorf school, in a public charter school and at home are not the same experience for a child. Certainly, Steiner might talk about the importance of the social element, but most home schooling families are already aware of this and take steps to bring their children together with other children and adults in classes as well as social settings. I imagine that he wouldn't disapprove of Waldorf home schooling, because he was working toward cultural renewal, not maintenance of the status quo. I relate to Steiner as an innovator, a "cultural creative" or radical individual who brought completely new forms, based on a deeper understanding and higher vision of what was needed than most of us possess. In addition, Steiner was thoroughly practical. He would recognize the fact that many families live in rural settings where it's very difficult to start private schools, and that others have more time to teach their own children than money to send them to Waldorf schools. It seems to me he would support parents in adapting Waldorf education to their circumstances.

I speak of "Waldorf parenting" and "Waldorf home schooling" because they are easier than using "Waldorf-inspired" and because no one can trademark or copyright ideas. The insights behind Waldorf education are meant for everyone. I'd like to see them in as many public schools as possible. And if families are going to home school for the many reasons behind the rapid growth of this movement, then it is my opinion they would do far better by their children to understand the principles of Waldorf education and apply them as best they can.

It has been my experience that Waldorf home schooling parents who are seriously trying to penetrate the insights into child development offered by Rudolf Steiner and to learn from their children as they do so, have a tremendous opportunity to be transformed in the process, which is the same gift given to teachers in Waldorf schools. --Rahima