If I had a child of school age, I would send him to one of the Waldorf Schools.
~Saul Bellow, Nobel Laureate

Eurythmy

The unique art of eurythmy is speech and music made visible through movement. In the early grades, the natural play of the child is lead into formed movement, acquainting the child with his own body through imitation, then later guided towards more exact movements in rhythm with the spoken word. The movement and quality of speech is explored through letters, allowing the child to experience letter sounds with the body, and then carried further via poetry and verse.

In the higher grades the student learns to move in different directions and to form moving geometrical shapes in space. Exercises with copper rods help the body and mind cooperate and bring about greater strength and accuracy. The student learns to move more consciously — the sounds of the words in poetry and the tones in musical intervals determine the movements with which he models the surrounding space. Group formations teach him to consider the movements of others, to harmonize his own movements with the group.

Physical Education

Games and movement are critical in shaping physical and inner growth, as well as social and emotional development. Children receive a balanced spatial education through the Waldorf physical education curriculum.

In the lower grades games with imagination and creativity prevail. String and clapping games, body geography, and bean-bag games are some of the rhythmic activities used to strengthen the child’s spatial awareness. Circle and tag games are also popular.

By the fourth grade, the awakening intellect of the child is met by games that achieve a particular task or solve a problem. While studying ancient civilizations in main lesson, fifth graders practice for the Olympiad, a sports event in the tradition of ancient Greece. The fifth grade student is physically most balanced and harmonized, and performing with grace, beauty and skill are important requirements. Bothmer exercises are introduced, helping the child explore and discover the way he lives and moves in space.

In middle school, games use a sense of formation – how players position and conduct themselves in a team setting. Circus skills and gymnastics demand all-around skill, spatial awareness and courage. A seventh and eighth grade regional track meet provides another opportunity for the students to challenge themselves as well as meet students from other Waldorf schools.