| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Waldorf (or Steiner) Homeschooling by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006 This method was first formulated by Austrian educator Rudolf Steiner in 1907 in his book, "The Education of the Child in the Light of Spiritual Science". According to his philosophy, a child's learning is based on developmental stages, distinct 7-year cycles, which guide what a child should learn and when. Rather than merely imposing intellectual content on a child or offering instruction in a rigid or lifeless way, Waldorf education is designed to awaken the child to his own inner nature and to that of the outer world. Waldorf homeschooling is a "developmentally appropriate education", in which formal education is delayed until age 7. Waldorf instruction relies on lecture-based experiential learning where a subject is introduced through direct experiences, then children are guided to explore the subject, then the concept is discussed as a group. Waldorf emphasizes arts and crafts, music and movement, natural science, spirituality, and group social skills. Children routinely journal their experiences, thoughts, and conclusions, including daily drawing and painting. The Waldorf philosophy was designed to be used in small private schools, but the methods have been adapted for homeschooling. Here are several online resources that support Waldorf Homeschooling: Waldorf 101 -- from the Waldorf Family network Waldorf in the Home - a website and a two-day conference held annually each fall in Fair Oaks, California and in Boulder, Colorado to help homeschoolers implement Waldorf philosophies at home Oak Meadow - PreK - 12 Waldorf inspired curriculum, both printed and online versions available Live Education! - K - 8 Waldorf curriculum modified for home use Christopherus Homeschool Resources -- K - 12 curriculum overviews, guides for teaching various subjects, discussion forum, etc Waldorf Homeschoolers - audio lectures for parents, online lessons, curriculum resources, discussion forum, etc. The Baldwin Online Children's Literature Project - complete online texts of books now in the public domain (1880 to 1922), a wealth of material, including titles commonly used in Waldorf homeschooling WE Homeschool -- online support for Waldorf Education at home Waldorf Homeschool Special Needs -- online support group |
| "Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings, who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives." -- Rudolf Steiner |
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