About Waldorf Education Three recent mainstream studies are the latest to confirm that the educational methods and philosophies of Waldorf education are good for children. The journal Scientific American recently published an article describing research showing that free, unstructured, imaginative play is vital in the early lives of children. Read the entire article, linked here. Waldorf early childhood programs are centered on the premise that young children learn best through play. Another, different research study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics has also proven what Waldorf Education has staunchly upheld for ninety years: school children require less work, more play. The growing trend of curbing free time at school may lead to unruly classrooms and rob youngsters of needed exercise and an important chance to socialize. Read the entire article linked here. And, in spite of much hype to the contrary, a new study by researchers at Duke University has found that has found that personal home computers affect student grades negatively, and that excessive screen media has a negative impact on growing children. Read the entire paper linked here. A story on National Public Radio titled “Old Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills” also described various research on the importance of play-based learning, rather than structured academics, for early childhood. Read the full text by clicking here. The following information, along with many more resources and articles, can be found on the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) website, www.whywaldorfworks.org. Waldorf education is the fastest growing educational movement in the world. According to a recent study of Waldorf graduates: * 94% attended college or university * 89% are highly satisfied in choice of occupation * 91% are active in lifelong education * 92% placed a high value on critical thinking * 90% highly values tolerance of other viewpoints Waldorf students have graduated from a broad spectrum of universities including Stanford, UC Berkeley, Harvard, Yale, and Brown. Waldorf graduates have chosen professions including medicine, law, science, engineering, computer technology, the arts, social science, government, and teaching at all levels. Some Well-Known Waldorf Graduates & Families Kenneth Chenault, CEO of American Express Jennifer Aniston & Sandra Bullock, actresses Charles Rose, internationally known architect Gastao Fraguas Filho, Formula 1 racing champion Victor Navasky, publisher of The Nation Children and grandchildren of Paul Newman Children of George Lucas, film director Children of Joe Namath, football quarterback Kate Christensen, novelist and winner of the 2008 PEN/Faulkner Award Children of Russell Schweikert, astronaut Children of Gilbert Grosvenor, longtime editor of National Geographic Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-serious-need-for-play%5Chttp://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE50P0PK20090126http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/03_NewsEvents/documents/Study-computers.pdfhttp://www.whywaldorfworks.org/03_NewsEvents/documents/Study-computers.pdfWaldorf_files/Morning%20Edition.Play.dochttp://www.whywaldorfworks.orgshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1shapeimage_2_link_2shapeimage_2_link_3shapeimage_2_link_4shapeimage_2_link_5
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