Waldorf Education is the largest independent school movement in the world, with more than 1,000 schools all around the globe. The first Waldorf School was founded in 1919 by Rudolf Steiner in Stuttgart, Germany. Steiner’s educational goals were to nurture the imagination while educating the mind; develop flexible intellects capable of problem-solving in diverse activities; enhance the child’s artistic as well as cognitive talents; honour the unique temperaments of each child; provide an enlivened and loving atmosphere that embraces the spiritual core of all life and activity. These goals have proven to serve children well in preparing them to meet the challenges of modern life. The Waldorf approach recognizes that children have distinct, age-related educational and emotional needs that unfold through the stages of their development.
At the Waldorf Independent School of Edmonton, we strive to educate the Whole Child: Head, Heart and Hands. Our Early Childhood programs nurture the wonder-filled imaginative world of young children, building a solid foundation for future learning and development. Throughout the grades’ curriculum, Art, Music, Movement, Drama, Storytelling, and experiences in Nature are integral aspects of academic study that allow for deep learning and an understanding of humanity’s interconnectedness. Our goal is to explore the child’s full potential, encouraging the development of a wide range of skills through engaging classroom experiences. In this way, a lifelong love of learning is cultivated by nourishing the spirit of curiosity.
