Question: My 7-year-old child is coming from the public school system and already knows how to read and write. I’m worried he won’t find the Waldorf first grade curriculum challenging enough. Answer: You are correct, the language part of the first grade curriculum may not be a perfect fit. However, he would probably find the other areas quite interesting. […]
First Grade
First Grade and the Seven Year Old
By Waldorf Teacher, Diane Power This article is exclusive to and copyright Earthschooling.com I sincerely believe that for the child, and for the parents seeking to guide him, it is not half so important to “know” as to “feel.” If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the motions and impressions […]
First Grade Readiness – Are We Asking the Right Questions?
Looking back on my children’s education I can honestly say that the question, “When are they ready for first grade?” was one of the hardest issues I had to deal with during their entire educational career. But why did I struggle so much with this question and why is it the most popular question we […]
How to Teach Reading in Waldorf Education
One of the most common questions I hear in Waldorf education is, “How do children learn how to read?” Parents are amazed that traditionally Waldorf educators start teaching letters in first grade and don’t even start reading until second grade in some cases. Of course if a child is ready before then, a teacher can […]