Connor and Gavin go to a school that is quite different from most schools. It is a Waldorf school, which to some would seem very alternative, "tree-hugger" hippie, non-traditional, etc.
In reality the Waldorf philosophy is geared to letting kids be kids. My boys learn by doing, instead of staring at a worksheet or a blackboard. For instance, they act out plays with letters as the main characters, and when learning fractions, they bake bread and measure out ingredients. They are constantly learning through play, which is both fun and mentally stimulating. I don't know what it's like to have a girl, but boys are extremely active at this age. In fact, sitting still for hours on end is absolute torture! They get to jump in mud puddles and watch baby ducklings hatch. They wash dishes, knit, grow a garden, learn table etiquette, have field trips to dairy farms, learn about other cultures and people, and even learn German and Spanish. We feel like we've chosen the right school for our boys at this stage of their lives. What they lack in classical education now, they will more than make up for in a couple of years. The school's slogan is, "Education is a journey, not a race." The children even stay with the same class and teacher from 1st through 8th grade. Great friendships are formed...kinda like your family away from your family. The teachers must go through a rigorous training program to be "certified" in the Waldorf methodology....some serious science and psychology involved! Way cool.
We feel that the goal of primary education is not to simply teach them, but to instill a love of learning that will serve them for their entire life. A school cannot possibly teach a child everything he or she will need to know in life, so the only hope is for a child to have the ability as well as the desire to learn on their own. This is what we hope to give our children.
Gavin playing with classmates on a rainy day in the garden.
Gavin found a baby frog!
1 comments:
What a novel idea! Sounds like they're having some irreplaceable experiences at school. It's great they get to learn other languages too. When I grew up I was in a program called Spanish immersion. I learned all my core subjects and everything in between in Spanish (historia, matematicas, etc). I really enjoyed learning a new language. Plus, I got to stay with the same group of kids for six years and made some great friends. I think that learning a new language was helpful later on when I learned to speak Thai as a missionary.
You have such a great family! Tell everyone we say hello!
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