Heads, Hands and Heart

Head, Hands and Heart

Waldorf Education takes the whole child as a physical, emotional and spiritual being into consideration in its teaching method. The method is widely known as 'Head, Hands and Heart'. All three aspects are incorporated in lessons.

'Head' refers to the intellect and thinking and the teacher takes care in class to encourage independent and imaginative thinking, the ability to come to meaningful conclusions and as a result to make wholesome decisions.

'Hands' refer to action in this world and all teaching is infused with the arts such as painting, music, drawing, drama, dance, sculpting, handwork and craft in order to bring intellectual content into the physical world in a meaningful and beautiful way.

'Heart' refers to the emotional life of the child. Relationships are very important and in Waldorf Education. The teacher stays with the children through their seven years of primary school cultivating a long lasting relationship based on trust and love with each child. The feeling life is further developed by listening to age appropriate stories. The stories open new worlds to the child, enrich their inner life, instills a sense of morality and teaches children about their place in their community and this world.