How easy is the transition from Waldorf preschool to public elementary school?

Question

I am planning on sending my child to a Waldorf preschool. I am not sure if I want to commit all through elementary school, since the tuition is more expensive than the very good public school (that is even closer to home).

Has anyone done this and what were your experiences. Would you advise such preschool knowing that I might send to public elemntary school later on? Thanks.

Answer 1

It's worth it to go straight to the public school. The kids in the Waldorf schools tend to be spoiled rotten, and harder to make friends with. They really are two different worlds. When your son or daughter goes to the public school, he will be used to the old ways things worked, making going to school even tougher. Also, when you send them to public school, kids there will already have their friends from the previous years. The closer-to-home aspect is always a plus, too.

The things they offer you can do at home. Colouring, baking, crafts, storytelling and reading are all things that you can do with your child, and it'll bring you closer together. Either way, you should be doing those things with your child anyway (especially reading!). Perhaps, buy some of those educational books where you practice basic skills by age (colours, numbers, writing the alphabet).

On the contrary, though, if the Waldorf school is a full day school, and the public school is only half day, send them to Waldorf. Longer days mean more time to learn, and in the end always pay off. No matter what, send them to a preschool, though.

Hope I helped. :)

Answer 2

My son went to a preschool that followed Waldorf method and now is a very well adjusted first grader in public schools. I had the same concern and my son has exceled. His kindergarten teacher commented that she could tell that he had been in preschool and asked where because he was adapting so well to school. That being said, he did not know all of his letters and did not know how to hold a pencil correctly, etc. His kindergarten teacher acknowledged that even though most children have problems, our school system expects them to know certain things upon entering school (that are not necessarily age/developmentally appropriate). By Christmas he was caught up academically and was reading above grade level by the end of kindergarten. Hope that answer helped. Like the other post, please ignore the first comment.

Answer 3

I cannot answer from a Waldorf perspective, as I am a Montessori teacher and do not feel right doing so.  Let me answer this from a Montessori perspective then and it may apply here just the same.

What is your goal with sending your child to an alternative style preschool?  Are you looking to make them conform to what everyone else does?  If so, this is not for you.

If you are learning for something better than what most programs offer and are looking at something that fits your philosophy, then go for it.

Do not pay attention to what the first person said.  Or, better yet, do pay attention to it.  She basically said children from this method have trouble conforming and changing into what others want them to be.  I consider that a compliment to the child...not a problem.

Might there be some difficulty transitioning?  Possibly.  I don't know enough about Waldorf to elaborate. Then ask yourself the question - do you want to give your child a fantastic learning experience?  Or would you rather they simply transition easily into conformity?

When you consider it that way, the choice seems pretty clear what I would do.

Matt