I see all of these numbers flashing at me from everywhere in regards to Education, from nurseries, kindergarten, schools, colleges to universities, with investment figures hitting the 9 digits of dollars and numbers of people in millions that are being served by these institutions new and old; (http://gulfbusiness.com/2014/08/gulfs-international-schools-whip-6bn-fees/#.U-sxJ2huswU.email). This makes me wonder is there a real link between all of this to the ultimate goal of all parents?
“Waldorf pedagogy distinguishes three broad stages in child development. The early years education focuses on providing practical, hands-on activities and environments that encourage creative play. In the elementary school, the emphasis is on developing pupils’ artistic expression and social capacities, fostering both creative and analytical modes of understanding. Secondary education focuses on developing critical understanding and fostering idealism. Throughout, the approach stresses the role of the imagination in learning and places a strong value on integrating intellectual, practical, and artistic themes.
The educational philosophy’s overarching goal is to develop free, morally responsible, and integrated individuals equipped with a high degree of social competence. Teachers generally use formative (qualitative) rather than summative (quantitative) assessment methods, particularly in the pre-adolescent years. The schools have a high degree of autonomy to decide how best to construct their curricula and govern themselves.
The Waldorf method is a large independent alternative education movement, which has a worldwide following.[6][7]In central Europe, where most of the schools are located,[1]the Waldorf approach has achieved general acceptance as a model of alternative education.[8][9]Waldorf education has influenced mainstream education in Europe[10]and Waldorf schools and teacher training programs are funded through the state in many European countries. Public funding of Waldorf schools in some English speaking countries has been controversial, with questions being raised about the role of religious and spiritual content in or underlying the curriculum, and whether the science curriculum, which has achieved notable results,[11][12]also includes pseudoscience and/or promotes homeopathy. The Waldorf movement has said that concerns over its stance on these matters are unfounded.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldorf_education)
If I want to put my money into a school now, I would go with the Waldorf Astoria model instead of all the umpteen number of models that our children are being bombarded with these days. One thing for sure here, please stop placing your children into a rote learning school as you will be doing them great injustice.