“Sloka - where the colours of the mind take wing.”
“It is important that we discover an educational method where people learn to learn and go on learning their whole lives.”

— Rudolf Steiner

Rudolf Steiner plays the guitar sitting on a chair while a group of children playing recorders surround him.

CURRICULUM

Steiner & Waldorf education: the history

Sloka is part of a network of Waldorf pedagogy that began more than a century ago when an Austrian by the name of Rudolf Steiner laid the foundations for Waldorf education. As the First World War ended, Steiner began reflecting on the senselessness and despair associated with war. He felt that a wholesome education, initiated in early childhood, was the solution to counter the chaotic ways of human life. In 1919, he opened the first Waldorf school in Stuttgart, Germany, with the backing of Emil Molt, owner of the Waldorf-Astoria Company.

The Waldorf philosophy spread far and wide for its unique approach to human development. Today, hallmarks of Waldorf education, such as child centric, age appropriate and holistic learning, feature among the cutting-edge practices of the day, adopted by many mainstream educators. More than 1,200 Waldorf schools are currently flourishing around the world.

Sloka’s curriculum is based on these ideas and pedagogical practices:

Students grouped around a table working together with clay.
Holistic education

Waldorf education focuses on the holistic development of each child — intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. It emphasises the integration of academic, artistic, and practical skills to nurture well-rounded individuals.

Three students tending to a fire burning within a stone stove during outdoor activity.
Developmentally appropriate curriculum

The curriculum in Waldorf education is tailored to the developmental stages of children. It recognises that children go through different phases of growth and learning, and aligns educational content and teaching methods accordingly.

Three students work on a mosaic artwork spread on a table.
Emphasis on arts and creativity

Waldorf schools place a strong emphasis on the arts, including music, visual arts, and movement. These creative activities interwoven with lessons are seen as essential for fostering imagination, intuition, and self-expression.

A teacher addresses students in a classroom at Sloka - The Hyderabad Waldorf School
Relationship-centred learning

Teachers in Waldorf education often stay with the same class of students for several years, allowing them to build strong, long-term relationships. This fosters a sense of trust and security, which is believed to enhance the learning experience.

The College of Teachers

Teachers from every discipline meet frequently to work towards the benefit of children. Additionally, the Pedagogy Circle meets every week to discuss matters related to the school. The Circle holds reading sessions of Steiner’s works and Waldorf literature, and discusses the processes and systems of the school. Teachers also participate in ‘Child Study’ where they seek to help any child facing issues through constructive suggestions from the entire pedagogy to arrive at the best possible solutions.

More Resources

History of Rudolph Steiner

This searchable database allows you to find the English publishing history of any German volume.

Waldorf School World Map

In 1919 the first Waldorf school was founded in Stuttgart – today there are more than 3,000 Steiner, Waldorf or anthroposophical schools and kindergartens known worldwide.

Why is the Waldorf Curriculum Misunderstood in India?

– An article by Dr. Karandeep S.

A student stands on a horizontal bar while six others hang upside down from it in an outdoor play area.
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