This week's post references a study that investigated the impact of the arts on learning. One of the questions and concerns many parents have about Waldorf education is the prominence of the arts. This recent research supports what's been integral to the Waldorf pedagogy from its inception. ...
When our students are asked what they love about their education at The Denver Waldorf School, one answer we hear frequently is that they treasure their close relationship with teachers. They are full of gratitude to be surrounded by caring, dedicated, and inspiring teachers. Our Teacher Spotlight series highlights a new teacher each month. Let's get to know Dr. Wayne Mayer....
Molding an elite athlete is not the end goal; rather, it is a byproduct of a healthy relationship to sports and movement. Beyond just winning, development of character is the emphasized result in the athletic arena....
"Holding the Question." It's a phrase you may hear from a Waldorf teacher. But what does this mean? It’s about allowing the child to show his parents, his teachers, his family, and his friends exactly who he is becoming, slowly and over time. It’s about being patient and resisting the urge — however well-intentioned — to define a child too soon....
Heat, force, teamwork, and...snow . The beauty of blacksmithing! More than just forging metal, it is a practical application of theoretical ideas from physics, chemistry, and history, engaging the students through hands on learning....
Handwork is as integral to Waldorf education as drawing. Creating with ones hands focuses the will and intention, and as discussed in this article linked below, can promote mental health and well-being especially when it brings one into relationship within community....
Fairy tales, myths, and other forms of story are integral to the Waldorf curriculum....
There’s no arguing that modern technology poses a range of dangers to your children’s development and to the value of their relationships. You know your child needs your guidance to develop a healthy relationship with technology, and to learn to regulate their own use......
College recruiters are actively seeking Waldorf educated youth for their programs in record numbers. Since the release of this 2015 study published by Stanford University, primary and secondary educators have become increasingly aware of the exceptional quality and deeper learning opportunities of Waldorf education, and......
From meditation to dreams, the vital health benefits of quieting our thoughts and exploring our mind have been well documented. Research supports the growing trend of including meditation in education. Schools worldwide have even gone as far as replacing detention and other traditionally punitive measures......
What does it mean to be vulnerable? In a world where it’s become popular to deride anyone who doesn’t have “thick skin”, anyone who believes in standing up for something – including themselves – it may be difficult as a parent to embrace teaching your......
Innovations in technology means changes in the paths our children may take in the world. Work requiring a human touch is becoming more select. Yesterday’s jobs – and the security that came with them – are rapidly being replaced by either algorithms or creative thinkers......
We’ve developed a culture motivated by external rewards, unrelated compensation for work done. On a basic level, this drive is a natural extension of the give-take relationship between working members of a community. In a functioning society, all members participate in bringing goods to bear......
Being a teenager is challenging. On one hand they’re expected to be adults, to discover who they are in the myriad possibilities and support themselves physically and emotionally. Far too many teens are challenged to practically pick out a personality from a two-dimensional storefront of......
Problem solving gets a lot of attention, and for good reason. As an employee, those who can identify a problem and quickly find a solution can spare their team a lot of stress. And in today’s relatively egalitarian workspace, everyone is responsible for contributing ideas......
And How to Make Sure Your Child Is One of Them. Innovation. Have you heard that word lately? Unless you’ve been away from the world for a while, chances are you hear it every day. You don’t just hear it, you live it. And......
The Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education recently conducted research to better understand the benefits of Waldorf Education with the purpose of examining how the unique, child-led education model prepares young people for the future. The results were staggering— read them here. The study......
What does your child want to be? When I ask my oldest, who is six years old, what he wants to be, his list goes on for minutes. He wants to be a husband and a funny dad, just like his father. He wants to......
It’s Not What You Know, It’s How Confidently You Know It What do teens really need in high school to prepare for success in college and beyond? It’s the question weighing most heavily on your mind. As your child prepares for the final stage of......
As parents, we’re naturally driven to find the competitive edge for our children. We’re constantly reminded of the fact that the workforce is fluid, getting ever more competitive, and there’s no sympathy for those who can’t keep up. So we fawn over test scores, agonize......
The attributes of those who bloom in today’s fluid world are simple, but must be cultivated early in life and tested in the teen years. Waldorf education is designed to not only educate, but enhance the development of the whole child. As a result, Waldorf educated students emerge from high school with these ten high-performance, highly demanded attributes....
