Why did you choose Waldorf education?

Our motivation to look at private schools was not a dissatisfaction with the public schools. Instead, we had this feeling that our child’s early education was something that we would only get one shot at and we just wanted to make sure there wasn’t a better option. We found that better option in Waldorf education. For me it was the way in which the children learned that swayed me to try Waldorf, not the details of what they were learning. The involvement of their entire beings in everything they learned struck me as being the key to learning the true lesson I wanted from their first years of school; to learn how to learn and to love the process. From imaginative stories to full movement math to a complete immersion in drawing and art in their every lesson, I saw a method of learning which could only enrich my children’s educational experience. I felt I had one chance to make this type of difference in their lives and I couldn’t pass it up.

What have you and your children gained from Waldorf?

The most obvious impact on our lives from Waldorf education has been the rich and imaginative play which takes place in our home. I’ve noticed as my children have grown within the Waldorf system that their activities at home have become more and more independent and creative. A bored child is seldom seen at our house as plays are produced, drawings created, and all types of imaginative play invented throughout the evening. I believe that Waldorf education has helped us to slow down and enjoy the richness of childhood while simultaneously preparing our children for a rewarding and thorough education.