The Waldorf Method


What is Waldorf?

  • a brief history
  • what is Waldorf?
  • why is Waldorf unique?
  • some distinctive features

Waldorf Education - an interview with Caroline Ostheimer

Learning... Naturally - article by Barbara Bedingfield

The Waldorf Method for preschool

Getting Started with Waldorf

The Wisdom of Waldorf: Education for the Future - article by Rahima Baldwin Dancy

Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) website

Rudolf Steiner & Anthroposophy
biography and links to essays about Rudolf Steiner
compiled by the Rudolf Steiner College


FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

answered by River Song Waldorf School

  • What is Waldorf education?
  • What is unique about Waldorf education? How is it different from other alternatives (public schooling, Montessori, unschooling, etc.)?
  • What is the curriculum at a Waldorf school like?
  • How did Waldorf education get started?
  • How many Waldorf schools are there?
  • What is the philosophy behind Waldorf education?
  • Why should I send my child to a Waldorf school?
  • Who was Rudolf Steiner?
  • How is reading taught in a Waldorf school? Why do Waldorf students wait until 2nd grade to begin learning to read?
  • Why is so much emphasis put on festivals and ceremonies? What are Michaelmas, St. John's Day, etc.?
  • Why do Waldorf Schools discourage TV watching?
  • What is the annual tuition of a Waldorf school?
  • What kind of training do Waldorf teachers have?
  • Why do Waldorf students stay with the same teacher for 8 years?
  • How are personality conflicts between students and teachers handled?
  • Are Waldorf schools religious?
  • How do Waldorf children fare when they transfer to "regular" schools? Is it true that once you start Waldorf schooling it is difficult to "make it" in public schools?
  • What is anthroposophy?
  • Where can one get more information on Anthroposophy on the Internet?
  • How does Waldorf deal with kids that don't get it academically?
  • How well do Waldorf graduates do on standard tests? How well do Waldorf high school graduates do in college?
  • What is eurythmy?
  • Is Waldorf education relevant to Special Needs children?

The Whatcom Hills Waldorf School also has answers to frequently asked questions and an overview of the Waldorf curriculum throughout the grades in its parent handbook (pdf file).

The Detroit Waldorf School has put together this wonderful list of festivals held at a Waldorf school, as well as their dates and how they are celebrated.


What About High School?

List of Waldorf High Schools

A High School Curriculum Overview
from the Washington Waldorf School (2005-2006)

Detailed High School Schedule
from the Washington Waldorf School (2005-2006)


The Main Lesson Book

Native American Legends (Second Grade)
sample lesson from Live Education!

beautiful Ancient Egypt page from Aurora Waldorf School of Alaska

sample pages from Grade 1 through 8

main lesson book pages from Waldorf Family Network
plus a discussion of expansion and contraction pages by homeschooled students - forum
hosted by Christopherus Homeschool Resources


How Do Waldorf Teachers Train?

Foundations Studies courses at Sunbridge College
A nice overview of what is studied.
For those interested in Waldorf teacher training, you can also request information.


Reading Steiner

The Rudolf Steiner Archive
Many of his books, articles, and lectures are available here free of charge. This is a completely donation-run site so please support it if you find it helpful!

Rudolf Steiner was a particularly prolific writer; if you would like to read some Steiner but don't know where to begin, we absolutely recommend starting with "The Education of the Child in the Light of Anthroposophy".

If you'd like a reading list to follow, here is my list from my personal Waldorf library. There, I keep an up-to-date list of what I have read of Steiner's works, and the order in which I am going through them. There are also links to which texts which I have found available online for free.

Steiner, Rudolf. (listed in the order that I read them)


Meeting Other Waldorf Families

Networking - hosted by Christopherus Homeschool Resources, this list is sorted by country and state within the US. Find or start a group near you!

Waldorf Family Network
A community service project serving Waldorf home learners and others inspired by Waldorf education and the work of Rudolf Steiner. We serve the Waldorf community at large, and also offer select services for those living in the New England area.

If you live in the Washington DC area, the Prince George's Waldorf Study Group may be of interest. We meet in Greenbelt, MD about once a month.

Click here to join PrinceGeorgesWaldorfStudyGroup
Click to join PrinceGeorgesWaldorfStudyGroup


Waldorf Curriculum Copyright ©2006-2011