Waldorf UK draws on the ideas of the early 20th Century philosopher, Rudolf Steiner on how to educate children in a way that enables them to become their true selves, to be good citizens and to contribute to society and be a strong force for good in the world. He recommended that to enable this it was important take account of the age and stage of development of each child in deciding what and how to teach them. For example, in early years children learn best through imitation and play, from around age 6 to the beginning of secondary school, engaging the imagination and artistic activity inspires strong learning and from secondary school age onwards, cognitive learning engages in earnest. Hence Steiner schools are generally divided into four stages: Early Years (3 – 6); Lower School ( 6 – 11); Middle School (11 – 14): Upper School (16 – 18). Steiner also recommended the integration of the arts and physical movement, in all learning and to give them equal status to academic learning in order to create a well balanced, multi-skilled, robust and emotionally strong adult. These ideas, developed 100 years ago, largely correspond to the understanding of child development today.
