Each day I drop my son Owen off, I am grateful I discovered the Waldorf schools. Waldorf is a curriculum which allows a child to be a child. My son is not being coerced to memorize facts and I am not at all concerned that Owen does not know his times tables and other such skill sets that children nowadays are judged on. At the appropriate time, he will learn such things. Instead, Owen is in the first grade and he is taught lessons for his age. Currently, his day starts with his main lesson. His teacher has focused a lot on form drawings which prepare him for writing. At times, Owen has complained his hand hurts from drawing and I am thankful that on certain days he has handwork or is able to play with his flute to exercise his other hand muscles. His handwriting for a first grader is remarkably neat.
As I drive him to school each day we are able to have lovely discussions about nature or his vivid dreams or his ‘inventions.’ I am certain his days spent with teachers who encourage his uniqueness only add to his creative thoughts.
Additionally, I love how the curriculum is able to correspond with what is going on in his development at a soul level. The Westside Waldorf is community. His is accepted with reverence and taught with love. He is nurtured by every single teacher on campus. Thank you to the faculty of the Westside Waldorf School.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Written by Christine Syquia, proud mother of Owen (7 years) and Nathan (1 year.)
