Waldorf and Montessori: How do they compare?
The Waldorf and Montessori movements are both holistic, child centered approaches to learning. Both movements began in similar times, in similar parts of the world as an answer to a very rigid educational system.
Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf Schools, was from Austria, and started the first Waldorf School in Germany in 1919; Maria Montessori was from Italy and started the first Montessori school in Rome in 1907. Steiner, who lived in a very industrial, intellectual part of the world, brought a rich and beautiful arts-based curriculum to Waldorf Education. Montessori, who lived in an arts-rich culture, brought science and math as a focal point of the Montessori curriculum.
Both Steiner and Montessori developed educational systems that were developmentally appropriate for children, and both stress a learning environment that is aesthetically pleasing. Both systems are designed to awaken the senses of the young child, and both incorporate moral development in their curriculum. Both philosophies discourage television for young children and consider it to be detrimental to the child’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. Both philosophies also value the concept of students having the same teacher for several years.
There are many differences in the “methods” of the two philosophies.
All news in this category
Waldorf100 – watch the Movie
2019 the Waldorf movement will celebrate it's 100th birthday. Time to look back and forward. [more]
Three stages of disruption
Donald Trump, writes Otto Scharmer, is to democracy what 2008 was to capitalism: a profound wake-up call reminding us that the system is broken and... [more]

Putting modern childhood under the spotlight
The International Festival of Childhood, planned for later this year, aims to examine the issues affecting modern childhood. The evidence suggests... [more]
Domestic Report: Sweden
Waldorfskolefederationen started in the 80ies. Today most schools are members of the Swedish federation (Waldorfskolefederationen). In the early... [more]
New Zealand Waldorf schools get off lightly after earthquake
After the massive earthquake a week ago, Waldorf schools are thankful that they suffered comparatively little damage – in contrast to the 2011... [more]
The Powerful Force of Curiosity
Curiosity killed the cat. Eve was curious about the forbidden fruit. Pandora was curious about what was in that box. [more]
How do children learn empathy?
Empathy, the ability to understand others and feel compassion for them, is arguably the most defining human quality – setting us apart from smart... [more]

For creativity, capability and resilience, Steiner schools work
Steiner education is a popular choice of alternative schooling in Australia, with more than 40 schools country-wide. Along with other alternatives to... [more]
Waldorf education in Switzerland
In Switzerland 4.2 percent or 38.231 students attend private schools for their compulsory schooling (grades 1-9). In 2013-14 there were 28 Waldorf /... [more]

Waldorf education in Spain
At an educational level Spain is going through a special situation. Over the last four years Spain had a government which imposed a new educational... [more]