From the early years through middle school, science in Waldorf education is designed to spark a sense of reverence for the natural world. This approach helps students develop a personal connection with science.
In preschool and kindergarten, scientific learning happens naturally through sensory-rich experiences. Each week children make bread by mixing dough and watching it rise. They stomp in puddles, build sand structures, and feel the different textures of mud, experiencing cause and effect firsthand. Watching the seasons change, tending a garden, and observing local wildlife all nurture an early scientific curiosity rooted in experience.
As students grow and move into the grades, phenomenological learning is emphasized—meaning they first experience and observe a phenomenon before being introduced to its scientific explanation. For example, they might watch how light refracts through water or how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly before learning the mechanics behind these processes. Storytelling and artistic expression bring scientific concepts to life.
By fostering awe and wonder, Waldorf education helps students see science not just as a subject to study but as a way of connecting, understanding and interacting with the world. This approach nurtures lifelong curiosity, creativity, and a sense of responsibility for the natural world.
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