Philosophy
At Mountaintop Waldorf School, a proud member of WECAN, our approach to early childhood education is engrained in the anthroposophical teachings of Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925), founder of the global Waldorf movement. Steiner's wisdom continues to guide us in nurturing the unfolding spirit of each child through healing education, the development of strong and compassionate teachers, and the building of vibrant, reverent communities.
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We believe in honoring the natural rhythm of childhood. Rather than rushing children through developmental stages, we allow them the precious time to be fully immersed in their early years. This means we don’t push early academics, but instead offer rich pre-literacy experiences, storytelling, music, nature exploration, and—most importantly—deep imaginative play. We trust in the unfolding of each child’s readiness and support them through gentle guidance rather than pressure.
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Creative free play is the heartbeat of our school. It offers children daily opportunities for self-directed discovery and invention, helping to cultivate social competence, a healthy sense of self-esteem, resilience, and the capacity to collaborate with others. Through play, children build, transform, and reimagine their indoor and outdoor worlds, developing physical dexterity, emotional balance, and cognitive flexibility.
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This kind of play is far more than entertainment—it is a sophisticated curriculum in itself. As children interact with the three dimensions of space, the textures, weights, and uses of natural materials, and the social dynamics of shared imagination, they are laying the neurological and experiential foundations for future academic success. These moments of play are quiet laboratories of science, mathematics, and the humanities, where every trial and revision strengthens both the mind and will.
We cherish time spent outdoors, where the earth becomes both teacher and friend. Surrounded by sky, trees, and the rhythm of the seasons, children form a living connection to nature and a deep reverence for our planet.
Inside, the classroom is a space of warmth and beauty, filled with toys made of wood, cotton, wool, and silk—natural materials that are gentle to the senses and alive with imaginative possibility. A block may become a boat, a cradle, or a dragon’s cave; a playstand may become a bakery or a castle.
This direct, sensory-motor engagement with the world is the ideal nourishment for a child’s developing will forces. It is also what gives later symbols—the letters and numbers of the academic world—richness and meaning. As Dr. David Elkind so eloquently reminds us, “The language of things must precede the language of words, or else the words do not mean anything.”
And so, we strive to create not just a school, but a sanctuary—a place where childhood is protected and honored, where imagination soars, and where each child is seen as whole and growing toward their fullest, truest self. In this shared space of reverence, rhythm, and joy, children and the adults who care for them form a community grounded in wonder, warmth, and deep respect for the journey of becoming.
More Waldorf Resources
Waldorf education nurtures the whole child—head, heart, and hands. It inspires the mind with a rich academic curriculum, supports emotional growth through experiential learning, and engages the hands with artistic and physical activities that build confidence and skill.
Rooted in respect for the individual and a deep reverence for nature and humanity, Waldorf transforms learning into a meaningful journey of self-discovery. Because it reaches children on a deeper level, what they learn is remembered more naturally and deeply.
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While each school is independently run, all Waldorf schools share a common approach: fostering not just intellectual development, but also the strength of will (the ability to get things done) and the richness and of the feeling life (emotions, aesthetics, and social sensitivity). The result is an education that prepares children for life with creativity, purpose, and heart.
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Below are more resources on Waldorf education and philosophy:
AWSNA
The Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) is a nonprofit membership organization of independent Waldorf schools and institutes in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The association was founded in 1968 to support schools and institutes. Our vision is to strengthen and nurture Waldorf education and to advance Waldorf principles worldwide.
Waldorf Library
This site has been created to provide useful information in English and now also in Spanish for Waldorf teachers, parents, home schoolers, and anyone interested in Waldorf education. Our aim is to make visible all the available book resources on Waldorf education that are currently in print and where to purchase these. Also included are an ever increasing number of eBooks in pdf format that can be downloaded to your PC or electronic reading devices.
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WECAN
Waldorf Early Childhood Education Association of North America’s mission is to foster a new cultural impulse for the work with the young child from pre-birth to age seven. Based on an anthroposophical understanding of human development, WECAN is committed to protecting and nurturing childhood as a foundation for renewing human culture.
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Waldorf 100
The first Waldorf school was founded in Stuttgart in 1919. Today there are over 1,100 Waldorf schools and almost 2,000 Waldorf kindergartens in some 80 countries around the globe. And more all the time. We are making our Centennial an occasion to further develop Waldorf education for contemporary times, and focus more consciously on its global dimensions. With many exciting projects on all continents. Keep your ears and eyes open, and be part of the movement: 100 years are just the beginning!
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