Ask any Waldorf educator and they will tell you that routine and rhythm are the foundations of a healthy and joyful early childhood program.

In most educational models the vehicle for teaching is contained within a class period, usually 40 minutes, and the focus is on one subject such as math, music, and science. Waldorf Academic, Roberto Trostli writes, “When Rudolf Steiner inaugurated the first Waldorf school, he established the “main lesson”— effectively, an ‘immersive’ in which the same subject would be the main focus during a two-hour morning class for 3 to 4 weeks. The rest of the day is filled with specialty classes such as French, math, English, art, civics, etc.

Every year, around this time of changing seasons, Waldorf Academy students engage in a soulful Lantern Walk. Moving from long-lit days of summer to shorter, cooler days of fall, the Lantern Walk marks seasonal change through light and dark; and we illuminate the beauty of this quieter time through a soulful Lantern Walk in nature.

It might sound counterintuitive to think of an urban school providing a hands-on outdoor education focused on building a lifelong relationship with the natural world. But that’s exactly what happens at Waldorf Academy.

“Instead of rote learning useless facts, children need to be taught well-being.”

– Alice O’Keefe in her opinion piece for The Guardian (March 2020)

And while we may dispute that there’s such a thing as “useless facts” (can there really be?), we do wholeheartedly agree that:

“To equip young people to face the challenges of the 21st century, they need to understand their minds and bodies.”

There is always wisdom behind the progression of Waldorf pedagogy. Each subject is designed to reach a child where he or she is at that moment in their physical, emotional, and spiritual development.

There is always wisdom behind the progression of Waldorf pedagogy. Every subject is designed to reach a child where he or she is at that moment in their physical, emotional, and spiritual development. Our curriculum connects children to their place as humans in the greater scheme of the world. This is why Waldorf students spend so much time in nature, where classroom lessons take hold and gain context.

Why do we care so much about our children’s growing dependence on devices?

The day begins in a grade one Waldorf classroom with bouncing balls.

Students rise and form a circle around the classroom. Each child holds a small rubber ball in hand. The teacher initiates counting, whether simple numerical ascent or in fractions or sequences, and the children respond by bouncing in rhythm to the counting.

When David Knight (Class of 2005) reflects on his time at Waldorf Academy, from grade 1 through grade 8, he remembers “the intimacy and the one-on-one time approach.” And, he remembers staying with the same class throughout the years.

“You learn together,” he says. “I’ve stayed connected with my teachers.”