Waldorf vs, Montessori - Page 2

[MomtoMia]

Thanks isis,
Yes, I'd heard that Steiner was quite heavy reading and before tackling the man himself wanted some recommendations.
I'll start with the book you've mentioned . . .
Thanks again!
Mary

[Britishmum]

I'm fascinated by this discussion.

I have a question about the Waldorf philosophy. I understand that Waldorf teachers believe that neurologically the left side of the brain, believed by some to be responsible for more formal learning such as literacy, doesn't develop until the age of about 7. Have I understood this correctly?

[littlecurvieme]

Books/websites????

Hello.......

I was also wondering if anyone knew of a book/website....something......existed that shows some kind of side by side comparison of the philosophies.....I don't know if this exists, but I would really like to see some of the basic ideas and principles compared side by side - any ideas, or am I just dreaming???

Thanks bunches!

A n g e l a

[Isis]

Littlecurvieme,

I know of no website, but there was an article in the Holistic Eduation Review (winter 1990) called "Parallel Paths: A Conversaton Among Montessori and Waldorf Educators." I don't know if this mag still exists or has back issues. I received a photocopy in my Waldorf teacher training six years ago.

A quote from the intro:

"Both Montessori and Steiner viewed their educational work as part of a larger transformation of modern Western culture-- from materialistic to more humane and spiritual values, from competition and conflict to personal and global peace. They both asserted that this shift of values must involve a new way of raising and educating children, so that the deep, inherent potentials of humankind could at least be freed from social, economic and nationalistic prejucices and be fully cherished and nurtured."

The article is a discussion/interview with 2 Steiner educators and 2 Montessori, moderated by Ron Miller who was trained as a Montessori teacher and studied Waldorf as part of his doctoral research. The article is looong and fascinating!

Hope it is available.

[Rhonwyn]

Waldorf vs. Montessori is what I went through 3 years ago. In my area, I visited 2 Montessori and 2 Waldorf schools. Of the two Montessori, I found one (Northwest Montessori) to be very rigid and the children were very unkind to each other. I went to one classroom visit and decided that this was not the place I wanted my child to go. Wedgwood Montessori was warm and loving but the phone kept ringing and interupting the flow. I really liked the head teacher there. Of the Waldorf, I looked at Seattle Waldorf and Bright Water. The Kindergarten teacher at Bright Water was fantastic but the school was too far south for our family. We settled on Seattle Waldorf. I love the surroundings of the Kindergartens. I love the fact that most of the children do not watch TV so their imaginative play comes from them not the TV. Both philosphies, while different, are very child centered. I would highly recommend observing as many schools as you can because they are very different and how they interupt the philosphy is different from school to school. Good luck!

[lauren]

Pulling this up due to new interest from member!