Why your child might not like Waldorf education
As a former Waldorf
teacher (and yes I was trained too), who has had a lot of distance and time from
being in the Waldorf classroom, I can see why some children do not like Waldorf
education.
First, I should state
that Waldorf schools vary a great deal. Some of them are well-established while other
schools are mere fledglings working their way through the curriculum. Some
Waldorf schools are great at executing Steiner’s beliefs, and others are
stripped-down versions of purer Waldorf pedagogy.
That being
said, I feel the strength of Waldorf starts in early childhood or kindergarten.
That is to say, your child might enjoy the Waldorf kindergarten program, but
not necessarily the elementary school program.
Why?
For some
reason, having an airy-fairy curriculum where the students are NOT behind
desks, playing make-believe, enjoying cooking or crafts seems much more
kindergarten than elementary grade school.
Therefore, Waldorf kindergarten seems to fit most parents’ ideal of what
their children need.
However,
once we move into the grade school world, your child may or may not take to
this kind of learning.
What do you
mean?
Well, if
your child doesn’t enjoy drawing, creating, knitting, singing, dancing, and basically doing artistic tasks, then you might have a problem child in a Waldorf classroom.
I remember
watching a 5th grade boy stand quietly while the rest of his
classmates sang a song. I wasn’t his teacher. I was there to observe, but when
I asked him why he didn’t sing the songs, he said, “I don’t like to sing.” Some
teachers might have forced him. His teacher did not. This is, after all, a BIG
part of Waldorf. There is A LOT of singing.
Now, you
might argue, kids have to do things they don’t like. Absolutely. I agree. But a different child might act out.
He just happened to be the kind of kid who tolerated it.
When I had
my own class, I had a 1st grade student who – how can I put this –
went ape shit ballistic when his work wasn’t just right. You see, the students
create their own books by copying what the teacher writes on the chalkboard. Most
of the work by the children is quite lovely. But when this child wasn’t
satisfied, he threw his book across the room, tried to rip up his work, cried,
screamed, and even threw his book in the trash.
I tried everything,
but his parents, nor I, could never figure out why he acted this way. I’m going
to assume now, looking back that he was not happy in a Waldorf environment, because as far as I
could tell after he was put in public school, he was fine.
Another
unique aspect of Waldorf education is the same teacher ideally stays with the
same class from 1st to 8th grade. What’s funny to me is how
adults react upon hearing that. What if the child doesn’t like the teacher?
is always asked. This fear rarely if ever had to do with the
child, instead, this fear more likely had to do with the parents.
So if you
don’t like your child’s teacher, don’t expect your child to like him either. I
think the younger the child is, the more likely they will rely upon your
judgment whether you voice it or not. Children sense these things, and maybe
even hear when you are talking things over with your spouse or friend.
Your child
might also be going through something that happens in any school – bullying,
teasing, and feeling unaccepted or not liked. Sometimes, these things have
nothing to do with Waldorf, but more with how the school and administration
handles these societal ills and discipline problems.
One of the
blind spots of Waldorf education is everyone’s inability to recognize that just
because the curriculum is art-based and looks sweet and gentle, that it will not
have problems. Waldorf is not perfect despite beautiful appearances. If you are thinking of Waldorf education for your child, or currently enjoying a school, remember this, because this is the reality.
If you
are the kind of parent who does all this research before putting your child in
a school, imagine your child in a Waldorf setting. Waldorf is different. Will
your child be okay with different? Waldorf is artistic, soft, team-work-based, and dance/movement
oriented as well. Will your child enjoy this?
Lastly, one of the things that makes Waldorf education unique is that the children work together on many different activities and tasks, such as morning circle, music, and performances. Doesn't that sound wonderful? It is, but if your child enjoys being an individual (think Montessori) and, let's face it, doesn't play well with others, then you might have a problem. It's about knowing your child and if there is one thing I learned, children can act differently at home and at school.
An "alternative" education, like Waldorf sounds great, but is the school equipped to handle alternative children? Because what I've learned is many students that are "different" end up in Waldorf schools, but not all schools are equipped to handle the special needs of their students.
Lastly, one of the things that makes Waldorf education unique is that the children work together on many different activities and tasks, such as morning circle, music, and performances. Doesn't that sound wonderful? It is, but if your child enjoys being an individual (think Montessori) and, let's face it, doesn't play well with others, then you might have a problem. It's about knowing your child and if there is one thing I learned, children can act differently at home and at school.
An "alternative" education, like Waldorf sounds great, but is the school equipped to handle alternative children? Because what I've learned is many students that are "different" end up in Waldorf schools, but not all schools are equipped to handle the special needs of their students.
Great post, Lani!
ReplyDeleteI was like that boy who wouldn't sing. I didn't like what the curriculum mainly consisted of (music, painting, eurythmy, et c), and participated as little as I could. Which is a waste, of course, and also an incredibly boring way to experience school. The things I wanted -- more academic subjects -- were simply not the focus, if they were even present at all.
Hi Alicia,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience. I agree, a boring way to go through school indeed. In this sense, Waldorf feels like the polar opposite of American public education...surely we can find a balance?
Hi Lani. As a parent of perfectionist acorn, I thought I would share. My little acorn gets anxious and used to tear up his work, throw his book, just like the little one in your story.
ReplyDeleteIt is usually some type of General Anxiey Disorder.
The only help I found was purposefully making mistakes, feigning disappointment, then shrugging and noting that even grown ups make mistakes. Eventually, I also asked little acorn what to do to fix it. My little acorn is much better, but not cured.
Just in case you see it again, and need an idea, please feel free to steal mine. All the best teachers plagiarize ideas :)
I tried those things you suggested. I was sympathetic, and there were times we were able to "fix" it, and such. I even pointed out the flaws in my work as I certainly can't draw.
ReplyDeleteBut I never knew it was some sort of anxiety disorder, of course, now that you say it, makes sense.
Thanks for commenting and sharing your story. I wonder what happened to that acorn...he was such a personality. Great kid. Awesome parents, too.
Cheers.
"Looks sweet and gentle" was exactly our experience.
ReplyDeleteWe put our children in a school which also happens to be that country's Steiner federation HQ and some of the staff also head the federation, so you'd think their approach would be a great representation of Steiner's values.
Well to cut a long story short, our eldest was constantly being bullied (as were all the girls in her class and some boys), and after asking the school to do something about it for a couple of months they expelled all our children, the day after our eldest was threatened by a boy wielding an axe.
You can check our story out here: www.titirangisteinermessenger.com
I am facing this situation currently. I don't like my child's teacher. I love the idea of Waldorf, and I like the school. But I don't like this person. I feel she is disorganized, inexperienced and poorly qualified, plus she has some rigid and authoritarian views which don't match with Steiner's philosophy. (e.g the
ReplyDeleteKids can't take bathroom breaks - they have to 'wait 10 minutes' before going to relieve themselves.) I can't imagine my kid being stuck with her for 7 more years.