Different Types of Homeschooling Curriculums

I often get questions about whether or not Waldorf can work with unschooling, Charlotte Mason homeschooling or Thomas Jefferson methods at home.  I hope this response is received in the light it was intended.  Blessings.

I have consulted with many families over the years - unschoolers, TJ Ed'ers, Charlotte Mason families and of course Waldorf ones.  I have some background in CM and TJ.  Erik also wrote a research paper for school on a comparative of Steiner, CM and TJ educational methods.  I strongly believe that while CM and TJ have great thoughts about education, no one comes close to Steiner.  People get the idea that following Steiner means you have to follow the Waldorf schools... that's Steiner Waldorf... Steiner's indications stand regardless of the method.  

Do I think you can work these other methods in conjunction with Steiner?  It depends.  On what?  How much more work you want to do!  There are beautiful things in the other methods... Steiner has it all together in one method.  I worry that moms will beat their heads against the wall wondering constantly.. . is this Steiner enough?  Is this TJ enough? What phase are we in?  Is their notebook right? Oh CM says unit studies and short lessons - how does that fit with longer main lessons? What if I miss something? Catch my drift?  I know lots of CM moms... I think they are wonderful and they are providing a wonderful classical education to their children.  I know some TJ moms who are also providing a wonderful home education to their children.  They do not understand though my impulses behind what I do with my young children because TJ and CM are very far apart from Steiner especially in the younger years.

Does that mean that you can't do CM and TJ with Steiner in mind? Depends. Again just my thoughts... CM uses a lot of classical resources, so does Waldorf - Waldorf uses classical resources placed at age appropriate development to properly nourish the soul development in the child.  Unit studies often look like main lesson blocks.  Sorta.  Unit studies are a concentrated time spent on a subject, but during this time, the CM or TJ parent is usually still rotating in the other subjects, this often leads to frustration from more lesson planning or the use of workbooks to fill in for subjects like math and grammar, etc. not always but often.  In Waldorf the main lesson is a concentrated area of study placed at age appropriate development to properly nourish the soul development of the child.  No other main topics are introduced or even practiced heavily until about 4/5th grades when math is practiced (but nothing new introduced outside a main lesson.)  I have seen many TJ moms struggle with their younger children with the binder and all the worksheets to fulfill all the areas. In Waldorf a beautiful main lesson book is put together showcasing a child's work and encouraging them to do their best in the book they are essentially writing.  I do love the nature study that comes with CM as I believe this is really is a great way to observe but again keeping in line with the types of drawings that children should start with to really grow not only their skills but their love for observation.  Nature study can go hand in hand with botany in grade five and of course the animal studies in grade four and definitely more studies as they go forward in years.  And nature study is a great way to encourage observation for the younger child.

Please do not think I am down on CM or TJ or any other method.  What I have seen is the struggle moms have when they try to serve two masters.  As always my suggestion is to know the material (before you decide to take on CM or TJ - do you really know Steiner?) Once you know the material then you can pray and meditate about how you will implement it or what other resources you need.  There are many similarities and when you meet the other moms at the park that are using CM or TJ with their children you can say "Yes, there are many similarities - Steiner's focus is the unfolding of the child when it is appropriate. "   Also, you may find a nugget from CM or TJ that hits right where you live and you KNOW it is right to pull into your Waldorf inspired teaching... but know why you are doing it - to know you have to take the proper time to research and meditate.  Know why you are doing it before you bring it to your children, know how you will implement it, make a plan - don't assume it will be easier until you have thought it through with great care.

I wanted to touch on unschooling here too because I get that question a lot "can I unschool with Waldorf?" First I ask what that means to them.  Does that mean you want to use natural materials and toys? Play with fairies? Be friends with gnomes?  If this is the case then I would say that really isn't Waldorf, that is natural living and loving our planet and that is wonderful but only addresses the material side and Steiner warned us again and again about the dangers of materialism.  I DO believe unschooling with Steiner can work... this is how... Mom has to know Steiner inside and out first.  Without this the task will be impossible.  Anything can be taught properly with Steiner's indications in mind because you approach topics differently at each developmental stage.  So once you know Steiner inside and out you can answer for a 7yo how a spaceman flies. .. but it is a far different answer than you would give a 12yo.  A 7yo would get a story, imaginative and lively about the spaceman, his family, why he loves space and his space adventures while a 12yo might learn about the physics of space travel (and they might enjoy the story too but they will act too cool to listen!)

I know I have just given a very Waldorf answer and I realize that not everyone will agree with my assessment - that's ok.  You have to do what is right for you and your family - my only hope is that you think it all through, take the time necessary to make the choices.  I wish you peaceful, happy days - not ones filled with wondering "does that other method work better?"  Get confirmation on what is right and then walk forward in strength

Learn more about our Waldorf Homeschool Curriculums HERE.