Preparing for the First Day of School
Your child will adjust with enthusiasm to their new environment and their classmates – and will do so more quickly if you maintain a confident and relaxed attitude.
What Does It Mean to Be an Ally?
This past week in Seventh Grade Health and Body Wellness class, we began discussing different types of human identities. As they dove into all the different ways a person can show up in the world, in preparation for our work around personal identity formation, students paused to answer the question: “what does it mean to be an ally?”
The Eighth Grade Trip
The power of the Waldorf Eighth Grade trip to build confidence and character is unprecedented and serves the children for a lifetime.
How Ice Skating Can Improve Learning
Integrating the mind and the body to advance learning is not that new. But here's how The Waldorf School of Philadelphia helps learning through a fun winter-time activity - ice skating.
The Value of a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum
The 2022-2023 school year marked the rollout of the Waldorf School of Philadelphia’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum for students in Grades 1-8, though this work has always been embedded in, and integral to, our classroom culture. As an academic institution, we understand the importance of teaching the whole child: mind, body, and spirit. Research shows that social emotional learning and character education curricula benefit students in myriad ways.
One Teacher, Eight Years: Deepening Connection & Learning
Multi-year teaching in a Waldorf grade school allows teachers to take the time to make deep connections with students, all within a school culture that respects, supports and empowers teachers. Learn why Waldorf schools adopt a multi-year teaching approach in the grade school.
In Waldorf Education, STEM is STEAM
In Waldorf education, STEM becomes STEAM to bring relevancy and realism to our growing world of bits, dynamic loads and relativity. Learn more about how our diverse curriculum prepares students to think critically and creativity in a future run by science, algorithm, and advanced mathematics.
LGBTQ+ Family Supports at The Waldorf School of Philadelphia
School is challenging for every family, but it can be more complicated for LGBTQ+ families, who often face unique stressors when navigating the educational system. The Waldorf School of Philadelphia is taking active steps to make each aspect of our school experience receptive and sensitive to the needs of LGBTQ+ families.
Waldorf Education, A Gift at Any Age
The gift of Waldorf Education is joyfully received at any age. Parents seeking an alternative to conventional education, where their children are stressed out and over scheduled, are drawn to the interdisciplinary curriculum Waldorf Education offers.
How to Transfer to a Waldorf School
A common misconception about Waldorf schools is that it’s impossible to transition into a Waldorf school in elementary school. Read all you need to know about transferring to a Waldorf School.
Supporting The Nine Year Old Child at School and at Home
Nine-year-olds are watching teachers and other authority figures and are seeking to answer questions like: “How do people walk in the world? How do I make decisions? What is important?” Waldorf education’s curriculum in third and fourth grade has been designed specifically to help support children at this age so that they can create the answers needed to be confident and critical thinking grade school students and set a solid foundation for social-emotional growth and academic learning.
Unique Teaching Styles Lead the Way for Future Academic Success
Your child isn’t typical. So why settle for an education that is? Discover an innovative curriculum that inspires & excites. Discover the Waldorf School of Philadelphia.
Why Waldorf Students Knit
A child who is knitting a hat or a toy kitten sees their will transformed into art. They see their focused, detailed work turn into something beautiful and purpose filled. They experience how the conceptual becomes concrete. But knitting also teaches more than abstract concept mastery. It also teaches simple and complex mathematics; hand, eye and brain coordination; sensory integration; and resiliency of habit... all while promoting peace of mind.
Where Are The Computers? Building Healthy Student Relationships to Tech
Waldorf schools are not anti-technology and even tech executives in Silicon Valley see the wisdom of the Waldorf low-tech approach for younger students. Waldorf Education prepares students to meet the world head on. Read how, and why.
Waldorf Education and the Nature Connection
What does it look like to cultivate a nature connection in Waldorf curriculum? There are the obvious hallmarks - school gardens, multiple outdoor recess times and science classes outdoors -- but each age group of students connects in a special way with nature according to their developmental needs and their curriculum.
Character Education in Waldorf Schools
Andy Warhol famously said that, “In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” And in the age of Youtube, Vine, Periscope and other all-access broadcast channels, it seems he may be correct. This quote turned concept has embedded itself in the modern American psyche to the point where many of us, and our children, strive to cultivate our personalities, and our successes, more so than our characters. This was not always the case.
Waldorf Education: Creating Leaders for the 21st Century
With our world changing exponentially before us, we must ask: What do children need to learn today in order to succeed in the future? Most experts agree that we need future leaders who can learn within, and adapt to, ever-changing environments. it is no longer about what to learn; it’s about learning how to learn. Waldorf Education fosters skills for the 21st century - critical and creative thinking, positive motivation and the curious engagement needed to ensure determination.
The Truth About Homework
Homework is a sensitive topic for parents and students alike. What is the right approach? What constitutes too much or too little? Learn about the approach to homework at The Waldorf School of Philadelphia.