It is a different approach to education for sure. They move much slower and integrate art and other forms of expression much more holistically rather than isolating “core subjects” and hammering on those. It’s not uncommon for third graders to still be reading at a public school1st grade level in #Waldorfschool but they can tell stories you wouldn’t hear from a middle schooler and act them out with dance and beeswax models. Every student participates in theatre and music too. As they come into reading they tend to have a much higher comprehension and by the end of the grades program many of them are beyond public school peers.
Discussion
Thats a false dichotomy tho. Catholic school kids out perform public school kids typically. Also, do you have data to support your comprehension claims? The common wisdom is that those eho learn to read earlier perform better.
Plus if you can't read by third grade, that implies you're even further behind on math, how would a kid be able to learn calculus if they dont learn the basics early.
I learned to read two years "too late" and then proceeded to get the highest marks on every test I ever took. Look at me, look at me! Lol. Perhaps an exception. But I really like Waldorf and have been wanting to go teach at one.
It’s partially a question of values. I would rather my kids learn to be healthy, happy, balanced people than engineers or doctors. If they chose to pursue those fields, they will still have a strong base and we can supplement their education with free online tutors, AI and whatever else they need. I have never learned calculus and I run a very successful small business. If I ever find that I need a calculus problem solved, I can get it done in AI in a matter of seconds. Hard skills are no longer valuable except at the highest level in the world we’re entering. That’s the basis of my thesis. What is important is knowing how to be empathetic, understanding other people’s struggles and finding ways to meet other people’s needs. Those skills will always be in demand. Needs can be met with a product, a service, arts or just companionship. #waldorfschool is preparing kids to find connection in an increasingly disconnected world. 🌍
This is quite a radical philosophy. How would you know if a problem could be solved without calculus if you dont know what calculus is?
Also, by delaying a child's reading ability you are also delaying another avenue for them to explore/experience the world. Its not like learning to read is something ypu have to force a kid to do, or even something that has to be done in school, i learned to read and write before kindergarten because that was the activity my sitter would do with me while the other kids napped and i didnt want to nap.
I dont understand how you can say "they will have a strong base" when their reading, writing and math are all delayed, those are the basics of education. I am as curious as i am today because i was reading fiction books ravenously from a young age.
You can know how to read and be a healthy and balanced person, i dont understand what the insitance on these false dichotomies is, when it seems like you've actually thought this out.
“those are the basics of education”. Education as we define it today follows the Prussian model developed to support industrializing war economies. The goal of that model was to take sovereign people out of country settings and teach them to show up on time and work factory jobs. The few people who excelled would be given higher education again, with the goal of improving factory efficiency. Wealthy families would study the classics and philosophy to allow them to present as intellectual thought leaders. That model is dehumanizing for most participants. #waldorfschool isn’t perfect by any means, but it’s what we choose for our family to try to bring back human connection.
As far as what age kids learn to read impacting curiosity, I disagree based on lived experience. We read to our kids at least an hour a day. We talk as a family constantly. They are welcome to learn to read at anytime they are ready but we have not pushed it. One was reading by 5 and the other took longer. Both are advanced in math, can identify more plants and animals than most adults, and have hobbies including robotics and marine biology. They are learning Spanish, knitting, painting and theatre. Both are voraciously curious about the world and look for creative ways to find answers to their questions instead of defaulting to a quick google search. More importantly, they know how to find a quiet spot in the forest, sit down with a friend and spend a whole day building imaginary worlds.
The insistence on early literacy is at the expense of other foundational childhood experiences and is a small part of the reason we have a society more focused on KPI’s and production than on human connection and experience.
Bitcoin, the internet and AI change the map and the Prussian model no longer fits. At least for my family. But do you, my friend.
Im not arguing for the sake of arguing. I have twins due in December and my wife has worked in early child hood ed even tho she didn't study it in college and just got their by her own reading. We intend to home school but im interested in alternative education as a whole, so your perspective is interesting. I may try to assemble a monthly call on nostr over this topic.
I will never criticize anyone who is putting in the work to understand options and create a good life for their kids. The only thing I’m critical of is the mainstream diet of public school, TikTok, TV, junk food and junk culture. Congratulations on twins my man! That’s a lot but such a blessing!
Also, I puke love to join a discussion group about education options.
Who decided what a "good performer" looks like?
Our schools need more heart, less intellect.
Todays people are sick because they solve everything with their intellect, but i.e. emotional intelligence is hardly looked at. It's even called a mere "soft" skill...
WTF people, you can't be in AbUnd4nce Bitcoin and at the same time follow the Sc4rc1ty FIAT education...
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My understanding is that eq is fake and ghey. Its a redundant metric when iq and personality types are accounted for. But again, this sets up another false dichotomy, you can have a school that is emotionally aware and not delay reading until after 3rd grade. Also, you can teach these emotional skills at home.
My issue with waldorf school is that many homeschooled kids seem to have all the traits y'all are advocating waldorf has over public schools, but also they can read and do math.
Homeschooling with sane parents is the best, obviously.