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The Value of an Unhurried Childhood

A recent New York Times article highlighted the importance of giving children an unhurried childhood, without an overpacked schedule of extracurricular activities and excessive homework. The pressure on Gen Z to excel at a young age has led to decreased mental health and increasing struggles at school. Waldorf Education takes a balanced approach, with plenty of time for children to play and explore, while also providing a joyful and well-rounded education that instills essential life skills, sparks a lifelong love of learning, and prepares them for a successful future.

The mentioned New York Times article highlighted the importance of giving children an unhurried childhood, without an overpacked schedule of extracurricular activities and excessive homework. The pressure on Gen Z to excel at a young age has led to decreased mental health and increasing struggles at school. Waldorf Education takes a balanced approach, with plenty of time for children to play and explore, while also providing a joyful and well-rounded education that instills essential life skills, sparks a lifelong love of learning, and prepares them for a successful future.

In an era where the pace of life seems perpetually set to fast-forward, the essence of childhood—a period traditionally marked by exploration, imagination, and growth at a natural pace—risks being overshadowed by the rush to achieve. This phenomenon has been highlighted in discussions around child rearing and education, notably in a New York Times article that sheds light on the downsides of an overpacked schedule for children. The pressures facing Generation Z, from excessive homework to a relentless array of extracurricular activities, are not just altering the landscape of childhood but are also contributing to a notable decline in mental health and academic engagement among the young.

Against this backdrop, Waldorf Education emerges as a beacon of hope for those advocating for an unhurried childhood. Founded by Rudolf Steiner in 1919, Waldorf Education is built on the premise that education should be holistic—nurturing the mind, body, and spirit of each child. At its core, this educational approach seeks to foster a balanced development, allowing children the space and time to grow at their own pace, explore their interests deeply, and develop a genuine love for learning. We believe that children will thrive when given lots of time for creative, imaginative play. Building strong social and emotional skills, and learning through imitation and through direct experience, are the foundation of our Early Childhood classrooms.

Our Early Childhood program emphasizes social and emotional learning through unstructured play.

Middle schoolers also learn through play during movement and games class, and recess.

So how successful are Waldorf school graduates in higher education and beyond? A Research Bulletin entitled Standing Out Without Standing Alone: Profile of Waldorf School Graduates encapsulates the results of the comprehensive Survey of Waldorf Graduates, Phase II. The survey suggests that a majority of Waldorf school graduates share the following characteristics:

They value the opportunity to think for themselves and to translate their new ideas into practice.
They practice life-long learning and have a highly developed sense for aesthetics.
They value lasting human relationships.
They seek out opportunities to be of help to other people.
They sense that they are guided by an inner moral compass that helps them navigate the trials and challenges of their professional and private lives.
They carry high ethical principles into their chosen professions.

The Importance of Play and Exploration

One of the central tenets of Waldorf is the emphasis on play and exploration as critical components of learning. In contrast to traditional education models that prioritize academic achievements from an early age, Waldorf schools provide ample time for outdoor play, artistic activities, and hands-on learning experiences.We believe that students who are exposed to world cultures through story and sensory experience will become thoughtful, clear-thinking adults who understand and take an interest in the world and its people. This approach is grounded in the understanding that play is not merely a break from learning but a fundamental way in which children learn and make sense of the world around them.

By allowing children the freedom to engage with their environment, Waldorf Education supports the development of creativity, problem-solving skills, and social-emotional competencies. These are essential life skills that equip children to navigate the complexities of the modern world with resilience and adaptability.

A Joyful and Well-Rounded Education

Waldorf schools aim to instill a lifelong love of learning through a curriculum that is as diverse as it is comprehensive. Subjects are taught in a way that connects them to the students’ lives, making learning relevant and engaging. From the arts to sciences and humanities, every discipline is approached with the goal of awakening students’ curiosity and enthusiasm. Laboratory

Moreover, Waldorf Education places a strong emphasis on the development of moral and ethical values. Through stories, community service, and the cultivation of empathy and respect, children learn the importance of contributing positively to society and the environment. This holistic approach ensures that students are not only well-prepared academically but are also thoughtful, compassionate individuals.

Preparing for a Successful Future

Critics of slower-paced educational models often express concern about whether such approaches adequately prepare children for the “real world.” However, evidence suggests that Waldorf graduates are well-equipped for future success. With strong critical thinking skills, a capacity for innovative problem-solving, and a deep sense of social responsibility, Waldorf alumni are poised to make meaningful contributions to society.

Furthermore, by fostering resilience and a healthy balance between work and play, Waldorf Education helps mitigate the mental health challenges prevalent among today’s youth. Graduates emerge as well-rounded individuals who value lifelong learning and are capable of pursuing their passions with vigor and determination.

In a time when the rush to succeed threatens the very essence of childhood, Waldorf Education offers a compelling alternative. By valuing the unhurried child, prioritizing play and exploration, and providing a joyful and well-rounded education, Waldorf schools nurture not just successful students, but happy, healthy, and holistic individuals ready to thrive in an ever-changing world. As we reconsider the pressures we place on our children, perhaps it’s time to embrace the wisdom of an educational approach that has been championing the value of an unhurried childhood for over a century.

Want to Learn More?

We would love for you to explore the Waldorf approach! Sign up for a tour, or watch our school video where students talk about life at Richmond Waldorf School. Get to know us and see if RWS is right for your child.

Experience Waldorf - Schedule a Visit

At Richmond Waldorf School, we recognize that our student’s physical, social, and emotional well-being are a key part of their ability to learn and thrive. We look forward to meeting you and sharing more information about Waldorf education.

Valerie Hogan
Enrollment & Marketing Administrator
| 804-377-8024 ext 3

Richmond Waldorf School is a non-profit, private school in Richmond, Virginia offering Waldorf education for grades Pre-K – 8th grade.

The Power of Hands-On Science Education

Research shows that hands-on learning is extremely effective for students of all ages, particularly when it comes to science education. Waldorf Education employs an experiential approach in all subjects, especially in science. Students learn through observation and experimentation, rather than just memorizing formulas. This engages the senses and encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, which fosters wonder, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of scientific phenomena.

A study from the Canadian Center of Science and Education provides data to support that there is a significant impact on students’ academic performance and engagement when teachers take a hands-on approach to science and math education. “The study showed positive improvement on both the students’ performance and participation on mathematics and basic science activities and willingness on the part of the teachers to use hands-on-approach in communicating mathematical and scientific concepts to their students.”

The way students engage with and internalize scientific concepts can vary significantly depending on the teaching methodologies employed. Among these, hands-on science education has emerged as a particularly effective approach, resonating with students of all ages. This method, which emphasizes learning through doing, is not only about understanding scientific theories but experiencing them. Groundbreaking research supports the efficacy of this experiential approach, especially as seen in models like Waldorf Education, which prioritizes observation, experimentation, and the holistic engagement of a student’s senses in the learning process.

The Impact of Hands-On Learning

The essence of hands-on learning in science education lies in its ability to transform abstract concepts into tangible experiences. By engaging directly with materials and experiments, students move beyond passive absorption of information to active exploration of the world around them. This method has been shown to significantly enhance comprehension and retention of scientific knowledge. Research indicates that students who participate in hands-on science activities demonstrate a better understanding of scientific processes and concepts compared to those who rely solely on textbook learning.

At RWS this is evident across all grade levels, as teachers incorporate field trips, observation in nature, and exploration into core academics. Laboratory sciences in the middle school years expose Waldorf students to chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, astronomy, geology, geometry, and algebra in an incredibly tactile way. Waldorf education emphasizes the importance of a “Whole to parts” methodology. This means we spark the students’ curiosity and interest with observing the phenomena (such as a chemical reaction) and then take time to deduce what was seen and provide vocabulary to describe the experience.

7th grade chemistry offers students a chance to objectively observe forces of nature, such as combustion!

6th grade geology brings us down into caves and quarries to study rocks, minerals, and earth’s layers

Beyond Memorization: Engaging the Senses

Traditional education models often emphasize memorization of formulas and facts, an approach that can render learning static and uninspiring. In contrast, hands-on science education, as practiced in Waldorf schools and similar institutions, encourages learners to engage all their senses. This multisensory engagement is crucial for deep learning. It not only aids in the retention of information but also fosters a connection between the learner and the subject matter, making science both relevant and exciting.

Through the creation of main lesson books, students recreate the experiences they’ve participated in through drawings, writings, and further research.

Fostering Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

One of the most significant benefits of hands-on science education is its role in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By tackling experiments and observing outcomes firsthand, students learn to hypothesize, test, and revise their understanding based on empirical evidence. This process is fundamental to the scientific method itself and cultivates a mindset that is curious, analytical, and open to new ideas. Such skills are invaluable, not just in scientific pursuits but in everyday life and future careers.

Cultivating Wonder and Curiosity

Perhaps one of the most beautiful aspects of hands-on science education is its ability to inspire wonder and curiosity. Waldorf Education, in particular, strives to awaken a sense of awe and discovery in students. By experiencing the magic of science firsthand—whether it’s the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies or the chemistry of baking bread—learners develop a profound appreciation for the natural world and the underlying principles that govern it. This sense of wonder is the bedrock of lifelong learning and a passion for inquiry.

A Deeper Understanding of Scientific Phenomena

Through hands-on learning, students gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of scientific phenomena. This approach demystifies science, showing it not as a collection of isolated facts but as a dynamic and interconnected web of knowledge. As students explore and experiment, they learn to view scientific concepts through a holistic lens, seeing the connections between what they learn in class and the world around them.

The power of hands-on science education lies in its ability to transform passive knowledge acquisition into an active, engaging process that stimulates curiosity, fosters critical thinking, and nurtures a deep-seated passion for learning. As research continues to underscore the effectiveness of this approach, educational models like Waldorf Education stand out as beacons of how experiential learning can shape not only how students understand science but how they perceive the world. In the end, the goal of education is not just to impart knowledge but to inspire a lifelong journey of discovery, and hands-on science education is a vital step on that journey.

Want to Learn More?

Experience Waldorf - Schedule a Visit

Valerie Hogan
Enrollment & Marketing Administrator
| 804-377-8024 ext 3

Richmond Waldorf School is a non-profit, private school in Richmond, Virginia offering Waldorf education for grades Pre-K – 8th grade.

Harvard University Says Education Should Be Joyful

Research from Harvard Graduate School of Education emphasizes the importance of making education joyful. Compared with high-pressure, high stakes testing-driven environments, students retain more and process better in happy, lower-stress environments. In Waldorf Education, our intentional approach prioritizes engaged, enthusiastic learning and our teachers bring joy to every lesson, instilling a deep understanding of each subject and a lifelong love of learning.

At Richmond Waldorf School, the commitment to joyful learning is at the core of our educational philosophy. We believe that the journey of education should be a joyful and enriching experience for every child. Here’s how we foster joy within our school community:

Engaging Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to captivate the imagination and curiosity of our students in a meaningful and developmentally appropriate way. We incorporate storytelling, arts, music, and hands-on activities into our lessons, creating an engaging and interactive learning environment. By connecting academic subjects with creative experiences, we ensure that every day at our school is filled with moments of wonder and joy.

Dedicated Educators

Our teachers are passionate about their subjects and deeply committed to their students’ well-being. They bring a sense of enthusiasm and joy to every lesson, creating an atmosphere where learning is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about connecting with the subject matter on a personal level. Our educators serve as joyful guides, nurturing a love of learning in each child. As Waldorf teachers, we share a commitment to the Waldorf educational philosophy, personal development, and ongoing training to fully meet the needs of our students, to bring diversity, equity, and inclusion into our school culture and curriculum, and to honor the unfolding development of young human beings.

Many studies have suggested that Waldorf students tend to perform well academically, and they often enter higher education institutions with strong critical thinking skills, creativity, and a genuine love for learning.

Nature-Inspired Learning

Richmond Waldorf School is nestled in a beautiful setting in urban Northside Richmond, and we leverage this environment to promote joyful learning by exposing children to nature, and the neighborhood, flora, and fauna around us. We believe that connecting with nature is an essential source of joy for children. Our outdoor classrooms and nature-based activities encourage students to explore, discover, and find delight in the natural world. Extended outdoor time, walks in nature, biking classes, and adventurous field trips develop stewardship and environmental consciousness in our students from Preschool through 8th grade.

Celebrating Individual Growth

We understand that each child is unique, and we celebrate their individual growth and achievements. By acknowledging and appreciating their progress, both academically and emotionally, we foster a sense of self-worth and joy in our students. This personalized approach to education ensures that every child feels valued and supported on their educational journey.

Waldorf education is known for its emphasis on holistic development, focusing not only on academic achievement but also on social, emotional, and artistic growth. Longitudinal studies have often found that Waldorf graduates demonstrate well-rounded and balanced development.

The emphasis on practical and hands-on learning in Waldorf education can lead to strong life skills. Longitudinal studies have found that Waldorf graduates tend to adapt well to various life challenges and demonstrate a high degree of self-motivation.

Community and Collaboration

Joy is often amplified when shared with others. At Richmond Waldorf School, we emphasize community and collaboration. Our students work together on projects, engage in creative endeavors, and celebrate milestones as a community. This sense of togetherness enhances the joy of learning and fosters strong, positive relationships among students and families.

Waldorf education places a significant emphasis on nurturing creativity and problem-solving abilities. Longitudinal research has indicated that Waldorf graduates often excel in creative professions and are effective problem solvers.

Waldorf education’s focus on social interactions, empathy, and emotional intelligence has been associated with positive long-term outcomes, including strong interpersonal relationships and emotional well-being.

In essence, Richmond Waldorf School is not just a place of learning; it’s a place where joy is nurtured, celebrated, and woven into the fabric of everyday life. Our commitment to fostering joy ensures that our students not only excel academically but also carry with them a lifelong love of learning and a deep appreciation for the joy that education can bring. As families explore independent education for their child, we are proud to provide a unique, experiential, and creative approach to education from preschool to 8th grade.

Want to Learn More?

Experience Waldorf - Schedule a Visit

Valerie Hogan
Enrollment & Marketing Administrator
| 804-377-8024 ext 3

Richmond Waldorf School is a non-profit, private school in Richmond, Virginia offering Waldorf education for grades Pre-K – 8th grade.

Teacher Looping Promotes Student Success

Researchers have found that teacher looping is a key component in student success in school and beyond, as highlighted by a recent New York Times article. This practice involves students having one teacher for multiple years, which allows time for teachers to get to know each student personally, to understand their learning style, their strengths and challenges, and how to encourage them to do their best work. Waldorf education has practiced teacher looping for over 100 years because we know that it provides the strongest foundation for each child’s future in both school and life.

The recent opinion article, “What Most American Schools Do Wrong” in the New York Times reflects, “In North Carolina, economists examined data on several million elementary school students. They discovered a common pattern across about 7,000 classrooms that achieved significant gains in math and reading performance. Those students didn’t have better teachers. They just happened to have the same teacher at least twice in different grades. A separate team of economists replicated the study with nearly a million elementary and middle schoolers in Indiana — and found the same results.

Every child has hidden potential. It’s easy to spot the ones who are already sparkling, but many students are uncut gems. When teachers stay with their students longer, they can see beyond the surface and recognize the brilliance beneath. Instead of teaching a new cohort of students each year, teachers who practice “looping” move up a grade or more with their students. It can be a powerful tool. And unlike many other educational reforms, looping doesn’t cost a dime.

With more time to get to know each student personally, teachers gain a deeper grasp of the kids’ strengths and challenges. The teachers have more opportunities to tailor their instructional and emotional support to help all the students in the class reach their potential. They’re able to identify growth not only in peaks reached, but also in obstacles overcome. The nuanced knowledge they acquire about each student isn’t lost in the handoff to the next year’s teacher.

Finland and Estonia go even further. In both countries, it’s common for elementary schoolers to have the same teacher not just two years in a row but sometimes for up to six straight years. Instead of specializing just in their subjects, teachers also get to specialize in their students. Their role evolves from instructor to coach and mentor.”

This article affirms something that Waldorf education has championed from its inception over 100 years ago. We believe that effective teachers are committed to building long-term relationships with students, while demonstrating enthusiasm and honest striving in the world. Waldorf Class Teachers spend a tremendous amount of time and energy focused on their students, and how to show up for them in new ways, while honoring who they are, over a series of years. It’s not uncommon for a teacher at Richmond Waldorf School to follow a class from 1st all the way to 8th grade. In other cases, perhaps the teacher follows the class from 1st to 5th grade, with a new teacher for 6th to 8th grade. These long term relationships put our students at the center of our work, and call on a unique teacher who must have a passion for learning and teaching! Waldorf teachers are consistently presenting new material because we believe that being a subject-matter expert is secondary to deeply knowing how to reach the students in front of you. We believe that the striving of a teacher to master new concepts and artfully transform material into a living, engaging lesson is directly felt by students, and increases their own engagement and interest in the curriculum.

The ability to navigate and develop a longer term relationship with student and teacher has a ripple effect that helps Waldorf graduates build strong and deep relationships with other educators and mentors throughout their life. One alum reflected that for her, “being in a smaller class, socially, you have to work through conflict with people, and you have to develop that trust with your teacher. I think the teachers at Waldorf are pretty great at that. I can speak to my experience with Miss Amey, [who was my class teacher from 1st to 5th grade]. I feel like I build a relationship with her as a role model, and that has led me to develop really great relationships with professors and mentors I’ve had. I lean on my mentors a lot, even since graduating college and high school. There are so many people who have supported me. I feel like I have really thrived because I’ve developed that trust, and understood that someone in a teaching role will have my best interests at heart.”

From 1st Grade Field Trips…..

…To 8th grade preparation for high school, a Class Teacher’s journey is a profound and meaningful one that supports students intellectual, social, and emotional development.

As educators we believe that our work is to help students reach their potential and to come to know themselves in a way that inspires them to go out into the world to find their passions and make an impact. By cultivating strong relationships from an early age, Waldorf graduates are adaptable and have strong social skills with peers and mentors. We consistently hear from our graduates, and the teachers who work with them, that they see their teachers as resources, want to get to know them, and stand out amongst their peers for their strong presence in the classroom and eagerness to learn from their teachers.

We know that through long term relationships we can build upon skills, both academic and social, and that there is time to ensure that the lessons stick and are meaningful. RWS prides ourselves on long-term teaching faculty who are committed to their class and the journey of a Waldorf teacher. For us, the individualization and strong connections that are fostered through teacher looping are incredibly important. With this approach we keep the student at the forefront and center of our work. It’s inspiring to see their growth over a long period of time, and to see how these relationships we instill during their elementary and middle school years plant a seed that will grow and blossom, enabling them to fully utilize their resources and build healthy, supportive, and caring relationships with a multitude of people as they move through high school, college, and careers.

Want to Learn More?

Experience Waldorf - Schedule a Visit

Valerie Hogan
Enrollment & Marketing Administrator
| 804-377-8024 ext 3

Richmond Waldorf School is a non-profit, private school in Richmond, Virginia offering Waldorf education for grades Pre-K – 8th grade.

Beyond Textbooks: Unleashing the Power of Hands-on, Interdisciplinary Learning

Waldorf education prepares graduates with a range of skills and knowledge for finding creative solutions to complex problems. We achieve this through hands-on, project-based, and interdisciplinary teaching and learning. Children learn to apply math through games and physical constructs, to explore the laws of physics through field experiments, and to use their artistic abilities to convey their understanding of different subjects. In this way, academics gain context and meaning for children. Students discover that learning is a lifelong pursuit that continues well beyond the classroom. They develop a fascination with the world around them, how things work, and how to put their skills and talents to creative use in the world.

A recent blog from American University School of Education shares that an interdisciplinary approach to education “accomplishes two things that the traditional method of education does not. First, it expands the learning experience by drawing upon multiple subjects at the same time. Second, it promotes critical thinking by encouraging students to engage in complex problem solving.” According to the Science and Research Institute at Carleton College, interdisciplinary learning teaches students the four following cognitive skills.

Recognizing biases
Thinking critically
Embracing ambiguity
Analyzing ethical concerns

At Richmond Waldorf School, we believe that students thrive when exposed to a hands-on, integrated curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and grounded in artistic and practical work. Waldorf alums succeed in a variety of different public and private high schools, and move into career paths fueled by their passions, and notably are often seen to have the ability to find balance and joy in life. Our educational approach strives to prepare students for life with practical skills, an ability to think freely, and a mindset of contributing to help others. Our goal is to nurture developing students so they become curious, confident, and capable individuals who can bring forth healthy change in the world. The group-focused learning environment helps children learn how to bring their unique talents to a group setting, and how to collaborate and problem solve.

In Waldorf schools, academics are presented in month-long block studies that blend subjects together so that students are immersed in the intersection of topics. Many examples of interdisciplinary lessons can be found within each grade’s curriculum, such as the 3rd graders preparing vegetable soup, pies, and bread to practice skills in measurement, nutrition, and cooking. Or perhaps the 7th grader’s study of the renaissance, which weaves history, art, science, and discovery together in a way that deeply engages and teaches growing minds. Our Waldorf curriculum builds the student’s inner motivation to learn by weaving music, theater, movement, and visual arts into each subject. This makes learning fun while fully immersing the students in their work.

Woodworking class teaches middle schoolers a craft while applying math, problem solving, and an artistic touch.

Camping field trips in the upper grades bring adventure, teamwork, and self reliance as students prepare meals and set up camp.

A foundation for creative, critical thinking begins in our Preschool and Kindergarten Early Childhood program, and further develops and thrives as the students move through elementary and middle school. For students at RWS, learning is steeped in meaning and connection in every subject. Waldorf teachers build deep relationships with their students so that they can scaffold bridges of connection and deepen the learning for children in a way that brings them to the edge of discovery and mastery of new topics.

In addition to core academic subjects, our Elementary and Middle school curriculum includes:

General and instrumental music, including Strings
World and classical languages
A range of experiential activities like knitting, woodworking, painting, and cooking
Movement, games, and theater
Extensive outdoor play and adventurous field trips
Laboratory and natural sciences

This approach draws students in and creates lasting memories. One alumni, now using her nutrition degree to serve those in need through community-based farming and food accessibility reflected, “I think that Waldorf education particularly cultivated my passions for languages and language learning, and then also for gardening and farming and my connection to the land. Having the ability as a young person to explore languages, not just in a super academic way, but way more experientially, where you’re cooking and you’re singing songs… I’m so grateful for the out-of-the-box thinking that Waldorf school supports and for where I am now because of my time there.”

Want to Learn More?

Experience Waldorf - Schedule a Visit

Valerie Hogan
Enrollment & Marketing Administrator
| 804-377-8024 ext 3

Richmond Waldorf School is a non-profit, private school in Richmond, Virginia offering Waldorf education for grades Pre-K – 8th grade.

How to Raise Happy, Healthy, and Resilient Children: A Waldorf Approach

Waldorf education is an intentionally balanced approach to teaching with the goal of graduating happy, healthy, and resilient young people. We interweave academics, artistic activities, movement, and outdoor time in a way that reduces stress and enhances learning. We provide rhythm for each day, season, and year which builds confidence and ensures that students feel secure. Social-emotional learning and problem solving are integrated throughout our curriculum so children develop the skills they need to thrive. We are a community where students feel seen, recognized, and challenged to do their best work and be their best selves.

A recent survey from ISM asked independent school parents what characteristics they seek most in a school for their child(ren). The list of sought-after characteristics has been very consistent over the last several years, with responses of “faculty care and concern“, “emphasis on character development“, and “emphasis on emotional well-being” ranking at the top. These skills on average are more significant than “academic challenge”, “curriculum”, and “graduate placement record.” As a Waldorf school, we find that to not only affirm why we approach education in the way that we do, but also encourages us that we are meeting the needs of our students, our families, and our community.

When we consider what skills are gleaned from emphasizing a student’s character development and emotional wellbeing, we see that resilience and adaptability are not only fostered but truly noteworthy in Waldorf alums. We’ve mentioned before how “AQ”, or Adaptability Quotient is a measurement that is equally important, if not more so, than IQ, or intelligence quotient. “IQ is the minimum you need to get a job, but AQ is how you will be successful over time,” says Natalie Fratto, a New York-based vice-president at Goldman Sachs who became interested in AQ when she was investing in tech start-ups. She has subsequently presented a popular TED talk on the subject.”

Further research continues to explore how to quantify resilience in children and what experiences help to foster it. What is resilience? Defined by the NIH, “ Resilience is defined as the capacity of a system to adapt successfully to challenges that threaten the function, survival, or future development of the system. This definition is scalable across system levels and across disciplines, applicable to resilience in a person, a family, a health care system, a community, an economy, or other systems.” While the NIH is looking specifically at the development of children with adverse childhood experiences, this research can and does bring important attention to the importance of having resilient children. Their research in learning to quantify resilience asks the following core questions:

What are the challenges?
How is the person doing?
What processes support success?

The study continues by providing a shortlist of common resilience factors for child development, which include a nurturing family, a sense of belonging, family flexibility, self regulation, routines and rituals, and problem-solving as just a few common factors for child development.

Middle Schoolers take several adventurous outdoor field trips to build their confidence, apply their knowledge, and of course, instill a resilient spirit.

The 3rd Graders, after a week away working on a biodynamic farm, celebrate their accomplishments before their train ride home!

As a Waldorf school, we see many parallels between this new research and the values we place for our school and community. Long standing relationships, a safe and secure environment where children feel seen, and creating opportunities, both small and large, for children to practice and build stamina through challenges, are essential in Waldorf education. We believe that from small challenges of being outdoors for 90 minutes in the cold, to trying new skills like knitting, world languages, bicycling, to extended overnight field trips in nature, making space and time for children to build resiliency – by facing challenges and seeing how they’ve overcome and/or grown, is how we truly build confident, capable human beings who will find opportunities in challenges.

One RWS Alum, now an environmental science grad from University of Richmond said, “I think Waldorf made me really interested in learning and made it something I really enjoy. At Waldorf, communication with teachers was a big thing. I really learned how to talk with them and ask questions. Problem solving was another huge concept I learned, as well as hands-on work. I learned a lot of great study habits that helped me. And also leadership skills.”

As a family exploring Waldorf education for your child, we hope you’ll take some time to get to know how Richmond Waldorf School exemplifies these traits and more. Our holistic curriculum honors the developmental stages of children and challenges students to learn in a multitude of ways! Waldorf intrinsically develops the child’s love of learning in a hands-on, creative, relationship-based approach.

Want to Learn More?

Experience Waldorf - Schedule a Visit

Valerie Hogan
Enrollment & Marketing Administrator
| 804-377-8024 ext 3

Richmond Waldorf School is a non-profit, private school in Richmond, Virginia offering Waldorf education for grades Pre-K – 8th grade.

A Child-Centered Educational Model Where Kids Feel “Seen”.

One of the best scientific predictors for how a child turns out in terms of happiness, academic success, and meaningful relationships is whether adults in their life consistently show up for them. Waldorf teachers strive to see and recognize each of their students, greeting them each morning individually, and working with them over multiple years to build on their unique strengths and meet their individual challenges so they can thrive.

At Richmond Waldorf School, we recognize that our student’s physical, social and emotional well-being are a key part of their ability to learn and thrive. Our holistic approach to education prioritizes critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century.

At its heart, Waldorf education understands that relationships are the cornerstone of learning. We strive every day to meet and see our students, honoring them for who they are, and helping them learn to navigate and participate in long-term relationship. Waldorf teachers have a long-term relationship with their students, so we can call on our history and long-term work with students to help them reach their full potential and feel safe, seen, and heard.

There are moments throughout the school day and school year for students to shine. Each teacher takes time every morning to shake each student’s hand and check in with them. This handshake helps the teacher to get a window into how that student is today – are they happy and alert? Tired and lethargic? These indicators help our teachers understand how to provide a child-centered experience every day.

At Richmond Waldorf School, a teacher will move up through the grades with their students for years, progressing through the elementary and middle grades with the children. Early Childhood teachers may work with a child for several years up through Kindergarten. This continuity enables a deep understanding of each student’s strengths and challenges, and supports the development of a rich social dynamic in the class. When a Waldorf teacher meets her 1st grade class, it is the beginning of a remarkable journey. The class teacher is responsible for the core academic subjects and introduces the entirety of the elementary school curriculum.

This long-term relationship, or teacher “looping” is a hallmark of Waldorf education. We see the benefits in the children’s social and emotional learning as well as their academic success. By having a teacher work with a group of students over multiple years, the children are known deeply, and the teacher is in a unique position to support that child’s growth and development.

The Rose Ceremony is a special moment each year to welcome each First Grader to school.

Birthday celebrations honor and celebrate each child!

Research continues to show the importance of relationships on student success. We loved this article from Ideas.TED.com from January 2020, and have excerpted a few parts below:

Strategy #1 for helping kids feel seen: Let curiosity lead you to take a deeper dive

A practical first step to helping our kids feel seen is just observe them — take the time to look at their behavior, discard preconceived ideas, and consider what’s really going on with. But really seeing them often requires more than just paying attention to what’s readily visible. Just as with adults, it’s often the case with children that there’s more going on beneath the surface than they let on. As parents, part of our responsibility is to dive deeper.

Practically speaking, that means being willing to look beyond your initial assumptions and interpretations about what’s going on with your kids. It means taking an attitude of curiosity rather than immediate judgment.

This curiosity is key. It’s one of the most important tools that a caring parent can use. When your toddler plays the “let’s push the plate of spaghetti off the high chair” game, your initial response might be frustration. If you assume he’s trying to press your buttons, you’ll respond accordingly. But if you look at his face and notice how fascinated he is by the splatter on the floor and the wall, you might feel and respond differently.

Cognitive scientists Alison Gopnik, Andrew Meltzoff and Patricia Kuhl have written about “the scientist in the crib,” explaining that a large percentage of what babies and young children do is part of an instinctual drive to learn and explore. If you can take a moment, pause and ask yourself, “I wonder why he did that?” If you see him as a young researcher who is gathering data as he explores this world, you can at the very least respond to his actions with intentionality and patience, even as you clean up his experiment.

We encourage parents to chase the “why” behind kids’ behavior. By asking “Why is my child doing that?” rather than immediately labeling an action as “bad behavior,” we’re much more likely to respond to the action for what it is. Sometimes it really may be a behavior that should be addressed. We believe that children definitely need boundaries, and it’s our job to teach them what’s okay and what’s not. But other times a child’s action may come from a developmentally typical place, in which case it should be responded to as such.

The same goes for other behaviors. If your child is quiet when she meets an adult and resists speaking up, she may not be refusing to be well mannered; she may be feeling shy or anxious. Again, that doesn’t mean you don’t teach her social skills along the way or encourage her to learn to speak in situations that are uncomfortable. It just means you want to see her for where she is right now. What are the feelings behind the behavior? Chase the why and examine the cause of her reticence; then you can respond more intentionally and effectively.

Strategy #2 for helping kids feel seen: Make space and time to look and learn

Much about seeing our kids is simply paying attention during the day, but it’s also about generating opportunities that allow your kids to show you who they are. Nighttime can be a great time to do this. There’s something about the end of the day, when the home gets quiet and the body feels tired, when distractions drop away and defenses are down, that makes us more apt to talk about our thoughts and memories, our fears and desires. This goes for all of us, adults and kids.

What’s required is a bit of effort and planning in terms of the family schedule. Kids need an adequate amount of sleep — we can’t stress that enough — so ideally you’ll begin bedtime early enough to make time for your usual routine plus a few minutes of chat or quiet waiting time to allow your children to talk if they are inclined. They might share details of their day or ask questions that help you gain a fuller understanding of what’s going on in their worlds — actual or imaginary.

We know what some of you are thinking: “I don’t have one of those kids who willingly shares what they’re thinking and feeling.” We get it. The answer to the “How was your day” question seems to inevitably lead to the dreaded “Fine.” Imagining a chat time added to your child’s bedtime routine may produce the unpleasant image of you and your child silently lying next to each other, both of you waiting for something important to be shared.

We understand this concern. Keep in mind that the idea isn’t that every evening you’ll hear some earth-shattering revelation or deep exchange. That’s not realistic between adults, much less with kids. What’s more, it’s not the goal. The ultimate aim is to be present to your children — to create space and time to get to know them better and to understand them at a deeper level so you can help them grow into the fullness of who they are.

If you have a child who doesn’t eagerly share their inner thoughts, then you may need to ask more specific questions or pose ethical dilemmas you can consider together. The more you see and know your child, the easier this will become. At times, of course, silence is okay too. Being quiet together, simply breathing, can be intimate and connecting. So don’t feel pressure to force conversation when it’s not the right time.

We know it can be confusing, trying to determine what to say when and whether to encourage conversation or let things be quiet. But one of the best ways to see your kids — and to help them feel seen — is to create the space and time that cultivate opportunities for that kind of vision to take place.

Excerpted from The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson.

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Richmond Waldorf School is a non-profit, private school in Richmond, Virginia offering Waldorf education for grades Pre-K – 8th grade.