Does anyone combine aspects of Waldorf into their CM education?

I have been doing a series of blog posts on different approaches to education (www.lettersfromnebby.wordpress.com). I haven’t done one on Waldorf yet though I plan to. My initial response is that there are parts like the strong emphasis on the arts that one could make use of, but that overall the philosophy is different than CM. though either one can be altered and used without its core philosophy, CM is innately Christian and Waldorf is humanist. I think the beliefs which lie behind an approach are important because they do have practical consequences for how things play out (which is the whole reason for my series) so I guess I would be wary I’d taking too much from Waldorf.

Nebby

I have just started homeschooling our 7 year old son, while the 4 year old participates as he wishes, and I plan to implement the philosophy of CM homeschooling to our lessons & life of learning. I do have in mind some Waldorf techniques and ideas that I will incorporate into the rhythm of our days, although we do not lead a wholy Waldorf lifestyle (we have a tv and my boys play with legos) and I do not believe in all the pedegogy.

There are a few ideas on my blog archives regarding Waldorf crafts & festivals, and in the upcoming posts I plan on sharing how we implement Waldorf techniques into our lessons. Feel free to visit at http://www.howthesunrose-lalagirl.blogspot.com

Thanks,  I’m glad you like it.  Now that we have a good homeschool rhythm going, I will post more often.  I had hoped to get one out for tomorrow, but it has not happened, yet.  In any case it was/is going to be cover history (Columbus’ life & exploration), science (the force of the wind), and handcraft (making boats out of walnut shells, beeswax, sticks and watercolored paper).  🙂

My daughter attended a Waldorf school for two years before homeschooling. There were many things I love about Waldorf; delayed academics, the focus on the flow and rhythm of the day, learning through stories and handwork. It’s wonderful for the early years especially.

What I didn’t like… the curriculum that her school used didn’t line up with our faith. The saint stories were off (we’re Orthodox Christian), and the children are led and encouraged to believe that fairies and gnomes really exist. The educators would go so far as to create situations in which fairies would misplace things around the classroom. But I’m not sure how this would play out in a homeschool situation. Maybe Oak Meadow is different?

I am just looking at combining. We love story and art and nature. I have a child with some learning challenges. Dyspraxia, sensory processing disorder–primarily vestibular, and possibly dysgraphia. Some of the aspects of the CM Language arts programs we have chosen are causing to much frustration and a new friend recommended Waldorf for reading and math to take the pressure off an inject a bit more of what she loves. And it seems doing CM will still be our foundation.

I do want to add that Waldorf isn’t humanist as opposed to Christian as far as I can tell. It claims to be anthroposophist, but coming from a Christian base–albeit a more Catholic influence as Catholicism basically governed Europe for centuries. It highlights the celebrations of the Saints through the year.  It seems to merge some elements of European pagan spirituality with Christianity–not a new concept in the Catholic church, but making some of those who lean toward the Puritan facet of the faith somewhat wary with reason.