Creating a Waldorf School at Home Using a Waldorf Curriculum
Contents
Waldorf schools can be pricey. Waldorf homeschooling is a way to provide a Waldorf education at home. Plan your own activities, or purchase a Waldorf curriculum.
Homeschooling families who are drawn to the Waldorf education method of teaching, pioneered by Rudolph Steiner, can either invent their own Waldorf program in their home or order a Waldorf curriculum for homeschooling.
Steiner is a controversial character in the home education world. His anthroposophical view of the human being, which includes reincarnation and the evolution of the human soul, is the basis for educational philosophies that rely upon a unique emphasis upon imagination in learning that dominates the younger years, and an increase in analytical thinking as children get older. The goal of Waldorf school education is that children reach their destinies as fully integrated humans, both mentally and spiritually.
Waldorf Education
Families choosing a Waldorf education are often pleased to realize that it isn’t mandatory to purchase a specific Waldorf curriculum. Reading about the Waldorf philosophies and understanding the principles behind Waldorf schools is often enough to help parents make decisions about Waldorf toys, and to know which kinds of activities should be available for homeschooling Waldorf families.
Christian Waldorf Curriculum
Christopherus Homeschool Resources distributes a Christian Waldorf-inspired homeschooling curriculum. Donna Simmons, the founder of Christopherus has worked with Waldorf homeschooling families for more than ten years to create a Waldorf homeschool curriculum that begins in Kindergarten and goes all the way through 12th grade. The program is complete through the third grade and Donna is working with families in the older grades to help finish the older grades.
Secular Waldorf Homeschooling
Live-Education is a secular homeschooling program that focuses on teaching the parents how to present information and lessons in the Waldorf manner. Since Waldorf education involves a lot of art, and not a lot of worksheets and testing, it’s important that parents have support. Live-Education offers phone support for families who are using their curriculum, as well as internet support groups. Instead of day-by-day lesson plans, the Live-Education program helps parents create blocks of learning, similar to unit studies.
Homeschool Curriculum
Oak Meadow Homeschool curriculum is designed to help parents meet state homeschooling requirements, in a manner similar to the Waldorf style. Lessons rely heavily on nature studies and journaling. They offer an accredited correspondence enrollment, similar to the Calvert model, whereby students and parents are in regular contact with teachers, and the student’s work samples are evaluated.
Waldorf Supplies
Waldorf supplies are available online and in print catalogs. Many Waldorf families have started home businesses making and distributing Waldorf supplies, like Waldorf dolls, wooden toys, and dress-up supplies.
Creating a Waldorf school room in pre-school is a popular time to start, with new items being added each year as the children age and begin to require different stimulation. Whether using a pre-made curriculum or planning a Waldorf school at home, it is wise to read and understand the background of the Waldorf Education philosophy, in order to get the maximum benefit from Waldorf Homeschooling.
