We are honored to be a small part of the 100 year history of Waldorf education! We love bringing Waldorf practices into our own homes and the homes of children all over the world as we find toys that encourage imaginative play, curiosity for learning and a love for the natural world.
We are celebrating Waldorf's 100th anniversary on September 19th, 2019 but we joyfully celebrate our love for Waldorf every day of the year.
Join us as we countdown to the big anniversary and in the meantime, learn more about the history of Waldorf below.
The Origin of Waldorf Schools
On September 1919, the first Waldorf school opened its doors in Stuggart, Germany. Founders Emil and Berta Molt wanted to open a school that would teach children values in humanity and a different approach to education, having lived through such violent times at the end of World War I.
Parents who worked at the Waldorf-Astoria Cigarette Company were seeking something new for their children and so they came in droves. The twelve founding teachers attended a seminar with Rudolf Steiner where he shared his now famed and influential anthroposophical ideas regarding the nature of man and education that focuses on developing a child's whole character rather than following stringent and uninspired schooling of that time.
In those first years, magic happened. Both teachers and students worked alongside one another to help shape and grow the seeds of Waldorf education that has bloomed into what it is today.
100 Years And Counting
According to the Association of Waldorf Schools in North America, there are currently more than 1,000 Waldorf / Steiner schools in 64 countries, and over 1,800 Waldorf kindergartens in more than 70 countries, plus Waldorf associations and teacher-training centers for Waldorf educators and Waldorf teachers around the world. And the love of Waldorf education shows no sign of slowing down.
An important belief in Waldorf education is that a student enriches himself through experience, not just about subjects to read and take a test in. Waldorf students today study music, dance and theater, writing, literature, legends and myths and more. In our increasingly technological society, this has become even more important for modern parents.
How You Can Celebrate Waldorf's 100th
We've compiled a list of fun ideas that you can bring to your own school or home to help celebrate this milestone anniversary.
Make a Bee Garden
Rudolf Steiner said “The entire beehive is actually permeated with love and life". One of the core initiatives behind Waldorf 100 is to save the honeybees! Celebrate these small but mighty creatures by planting a backyard garden that will attract pollinators.
Start a New Waldorf Tradition At Home
Whether you're fully engaged in the Waldorf world or just learning about it and taking an interest, being a new Waldorf-inspired tradition in your home. You can start something simple like creating a seasonal nature table with your children, create a fort out of play silks or simply pick up some new Waldorf-inspired books to read at bedtime.
Start a Journal
A special anniversary is a wonderful time for reflection. Take the time to write down what Waldorf-inspired projects you hope to bring into your home in the coming year and reflect on the ones that you've already incorporated and loved.
Catch Up on Sunday with Sarah
Carve out some time to watch favorite past episodes of Sunday with Sarah. We curated our "Best Of" playlist which covers some of the most popular Waldorf videos from the past several years which you can watch here.
Commit to the Natural World
Introducing children to the natural world from an early age is one of the many ways you can celebrate Waldorf 100. Take your children on a nature walk and collect treasures for their nature table. Create a fairy house in the woods. Or simply lay under a canopy of trees and read to one another. Instilling an early appreciation of nature in your child is one of the biggest gifts you can give them.
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