The First 7 Years: Developing A Foundation for Life ~ Waldorf Approach to Early Childhood Education

Established in 1919, Waldorf education can be found in countries across the globe in a wide variety of cultural settings. Learn why it is being taken up at an increasing rate in charter and public schools in the US? What Waldorf education is, why many educators believe it is an ideal education for the twenty-first century learner and what happens to Waldorf students when they graduate?

There is widespread recognition of the importance of a child’s formative years. Recent initiatives such as the “Speak, Sing, Read” campaign – are attempts to provide a positive start for all children. We recognize the extraordinary brain development that occurs and the impact of adverse experiences during a child’s youngest years. Research has demonstrated the importance of healthy early social-emotional development for later academic success.

The first seven years have unique developmental and educational needs. Waldorf education offers a well-established approach to early education, one that is founded on a coherent model of child development. It offers many principles that are supported by modern research, yet often stands in stark contrast to many of the practices of contemporary early childhood education.

Presented by Liz Beaven, Ed.D.