Writing

Children begin to write in Class 1 (age 6-7 years). This is currently regarded by some as being quite ‘late’, however it permits a prolonged period in which to absorb the richness of language at an age when children are particularly receptive and impressionable. Within Waldorf education it is considered that the significance of using this early period in children’s lives to gain a natural, intuitive feeling for the spoken word cannot be underestimated, and that the intellectual task of writing and reading should follow slightly later. Furthermore 5 years of age is too young for many children who may then become discouraged by their first steps in education.

Mathematics

During classes 1-3 children are unaware that they are having Maths ‘lessons’ – the principle being to gain a love of playing with numbers, getting a feel for their value, and unconsciously learning the times tables through rhythmic movement such as bean bag games, skipping, hand clapping and even country dancing. Meanwhile early steps into geometry are taken with colourful form drawing. Each year the groundwork of earlier lessons is repeated and progressed. In class 4 fractions are introduced and, linking with the study of ancient Egypt in their history lessons, children will have their first introduction to Pythagoras’ Theorem with the Pythagorean rope. During class 5 the introduction of compass work will reinforce their earlier explorations into geometry. They will construct key geometrical figures, bisect angles as well as cover Pythagoras’ theorem and tessellation. By class 8 they will have made significant steps into maths, including geometry, data representation (e.g. pictograms) and algebra (commutative, associative & distributive laws; volumes, density & weights; statistics; binary; linear equations & brackets; graphs and their use in the solution of simultaneous equations).

The absolute priority in Maths lessons is to generate enjoyment and confidence. Achieving this is important for their own self confidence and trust in thinking.