Waldorf Education
History
The Rudolf Steiner Schools, also called Waldorf Schools, are part of a pedagogical movement with almost 100 years of experience. The first Waldorf School was founded in 1919 in Stuttgart (Germany) by the philosopher and teacher Rudolf Steiner at the request of the owner of the Waldorf Astoria cigarette factory, for the education of the children of the factory workers. Since their birth more than 90 years ago, except for the period of the Second World War, Waldorf schools have spread all over the world; in the last 25 years they have grown considerably and have not ceased to be known and spread throughout the world. They have proven their effectiveness in 60 countries around the world. There are currently more than 900 primary, secondary, high school and vocational training centers; some 2,000 kindergartens and 250 curative education centers for handicapped children and adults with adaptation problems. Rehabilitation centers for drug addicts and several teacher training seminars are also active on five continents in 78 countries around the world. They are found in almost all European countries, the United States, Russia, Israel, India, many South American countries, Australia, Japan, China and countries on the African continent.
Methodology
Waldorf pedagogy places special emphasis on the accompaniment of the different evolutionary stages of the child by the teacher; that is to say, it tries to provide the child with what he/she needs according to his/her evolutionary moment and not according to what the social system expects from him/her. Education is seen as a development towards individual freedom.
The Waldorf school curriculum is based on an anthroposophical foundation that takes into account the different developmental stages of the child, but is equivalent in content to the curriculum of the official system. In other words, a child who attends a Waldorf school is no less prepared in terms of acquired knowledge than a child who attends a public school. The big difference in Waldorf education lies in the way of acquiring these contents.
Experience shows that at each age the child develops different ways of apprehending the world. The teaching method and content should be consistent with the needs and abilities of each age group.
Relationship with UNESCO
This United Nations Educational and Scientific Cultural Organization affirms that the ideals and ethical principles of the Waldorf school movement correspond to those of UNESCO. Waldorf schools around the world, including some in Spain, participate in the “UNESCO Associated Schools” project.
