My husband and I are both college professors, who not only value our daughter's education, but who study changing pedagogical philosophies and practices to stay current in our profession. We know, both through our own classroom experience and the growing body of research in the educational field, that experiential, hands-on lessons are the most effective. Students understand and remember what they do, more than what they're told. This is the core of the Richmond Waldorf School approach (and it is cutting edge at all major American universities). \r
\r
It is true that Waldorf prioritizes some lessons differently than most mainstream American schools. Some families may be concerned that their child is being taught things in a different way/order than their neighbor's child. Some families want regular letter-based evaluations. Some families, for example, may be more comfortable with their child learning division from a worksheet instead of with knitting needles. But what concerns my family is that our child's school cultivate her love of learning. We want our daughter to remain curious, capable and confident. For five years she has thrived at the Richmond Waldorf School. We are deeply grateful to have found this community of teachers and parents that share our belief in education for the whole child. \r
more