Books:
Understanding Waldorf Education: Teaching from the Inside Out, by Jack Petrash
Founded in 1919, by Rudolf Steiner as a school meant to educate the employees of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart, Germany.
Rudolf Steiner's occult leanings meant that his educational philosophy wore a halo of imbedded spirituality. I'll write more on this when I am able to read more about Steiner's life and work. Suffice it to say that for now, what ever I ideas use from the Waldorf program, spirituality (religious or occult) is not included in the classroom.
In a nutshell, Waldorf schools are about integrating disciplines in order to provide a comprehensive education that includes academic, physical, emotional, social, and moral components.
While morals often have religious connotations (i.e. "thou shalt not..."), the morals at play in a Waldorf education seem to emphasize self-discipline, integrity, ambition and an educated sense of responsibility to your community.
"A key element that enables self-discipline to develop in a healthy way is the early formation of good habits" (p.4 Petrash)
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