Waldorf/Steiner schools. What do you think of them?

[gracej]

DS1 has a development delay, he is 2.5. We are trying to decide what is best for him in terms of schooling.
Someone told me that if she had a child with a delay she would put them in either the montessory system or a waldorf school.
Have any of you had any experience with a waldorf schools? Do you think their method of teaching would benefit a child that needs that much extra time and support to learn things?
Due to his problem, DS does not have the greatest of concentrations. I just don't see how he would sit for God knows how long listening to a teacher, I don't think he'll learn anything. Are the waldorf schools more hands on?

Hi FioFio, I have started reading about waldorf schools. I haven't visited one, but I am planning to visit several schools in september.
From what I have read about waldorf, there are some things that I find appealing, and others that are just a little difficult to diggest.
I think I really need to hear from someone that has children or teaches in a waldorf school.
How old is your daughter? Have you decided what to do?
I seem to be changing my mind every day.

We are not living in the UK, which adds to my worries! The local language here is not english, so I am trying to decide if it is best for him to go to a private english speaking school (expensive!), or to go to the national system.
I would really like him to learn a second language eventually (he doesn't speak yet, but he understands everything).
I also don't know if it would be best for him to go to a SN school. But I am not too keen on the idea.
This whole thing is really worrying me. I just don't want to let DS down. I really want to make the right decision for him. I think he has great potential if given the right support.

Where do you live gracej ?

I am too considering all the options.

Hi Theo, I am in luxembourg. Does your DC also have SN?

Not yet known for sure.

He has traits which suggest he could be on the autistic spectrum, but he's only 3.7 and the professionals are not sure yet.

He is very boisterous, fidgety, impulsive and needs to run around a lot outside. So at the moment we are thinking about A Steiner Kindergarten as it would be more like an extension of Nursery (which he loves) for another 2 years.

What are the Steiner schools like over there ?

Are they popular ?

I have no idea how they are here. I just know there is one.
People here tend to go to the local schools, apparently they are very good.
The kids that go to private schools are usually from foreign families that are not going to stay in the country and therefore are not interested in having kids in the local system.
I haven't met anyone that is going to a steiner school.
What has made you think of a steiner kinder?
Would you stop at kinder or would go continue on to primary?

My DS never sits still, likes to play alone, likes to follow his own lead. He finds it very difficult to understand why he should do any different and I do too, unless he is causing upset or harm to another child.

The kindergarten is play based, no formal learning.

The hours are 3 1/2 hours per morning, you can send them 2 morning minimum or 3,4,5 - you can build this up.

They encourage individuality.

They nurture the innocence of childhood.

The play is child centred/led. I was told on my visit that the teacher only interferes if she can see a situation getting too out of hand (i.e. fighting, nastiness).

I don't know if we would carry on into primary. Probably would depend on how we felt the first 2 years had gone and what the class teacher was like.

hi grace, there is definitely someone on here who went to school in Lux, I cant remember who, but hope she will be along soon. afaik, the system is like hte french one, and is very good.

I have looked at steiner schools in de - our local one is among the top 100 gymnasiums in germany. I have been advised, that you have to make your mind up before your child goes there, and then not question the system. They do get good results, and you just have to accept their teaching methods, even if they seem odd to you.
I have visited a couple of montessori schools, where the children were working at their own pace, and they were very interesting. One had no desks or tables, children did everything sitting on teh floor. The other was more conventional in appearance, but the work program was fantastic, each child really was working at his or her own pace. Both schools had a very good range of teaching materials.

A word of warning, if your child doesnt fit in, they may be kicked out after a year, which is not uncommon round here, and is pretty traumatic for the family, obviously.

Theo, I guess your DS's issues are different to mine. My DS has a development delay, his concentration is very short. He he had his own way he would play his same games all day.

His play is very limited and needs a little (or rather a lot) of pushing. I need to introduce him to new games and toys, it takes him a while to get used to new games.

My worry about Steiner is that he they leave him as you say, he will get nowhere. He needs a little pushing. On the other hand, he needs to enjoy what he is doing, the person guiding him has to be very patient and understanding, he needs plenty of praise.

I think I will also post on special needs to see if anyone has experience with this.