Waldorf Method: what are your subjects like? 2026

The way of teaching subjects in Waldorf pedagogy is different depending on the levels, which is why different methodologies are established in primary and secondary school, always respecting the essence and Waldorf principles.

How are subjects taught in primary school?

In primary school, the Waldorf method usually divides tasks, subjects and learning tasks into weeks: "you work for weeks. Every four weeks a specific subject is addressed in classes of two and a half hours, without teaching other core subjects throughout those four weeks. This seeks a total immersion in the subject that allows the child to understand it, dissect it and be able to take the acquired knowledge to a new level. These main classes begin with rhythmic exercises with the intention of preparing and awakening body and mind before starting the learning process, of full concentration in which the child is completely immersed in the content to be treated" explains Raquel Rodríguez, Waldorf teacher. Founder and teacher of the Allegra Free School. This method defends learning through free play in children, based on the advantages and benefits of playful learning. Later, when the little ones reach primary school, this mode of learning adapts to the age and also to the possibilities and needs of the children's development in this phase: "what in childhood was free play for the child to discover a world of possibilities through movement and learning by imitation, becomes in primary school something more methodical. At this stage, teachers must not only transmit new knowledge, but that knowledge must be impregnated with an emotion that helps the child to connect more with others and with themselves. "the expert clarifies. This vision of education and development marked by the importance of creativity means that artistic disciplines have great weight in this educational method: "the plastic arts are very important in our pedagogy; the works and textbooks are created by each child with drawings, tables or any other type of specific information that shows that the subject has been internalized," adds Rodríguez.

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How are they taught in secondary school?

At this stage it is important to exercise adolescents' autonomous thinking and judgment. "Teachers, specialists in each subject, more than an authority, are researchers that the student can emulate, thus once again working on their autonomy. They continue with the practice of activities such as construction, cooking, carpentry or gardening, which once again put emphasis on physical, corporal work," clarifies the Waldorf teacher.

language learning

Language learning is also a basic pillar in this pedagogy and a model is encouraged that allows students to immerse themselves in the language through the arts and creativity, reinforcing oral expression: "in Waldorf schools in Spain, English and German are studied. As it could not be otherwise, knowledge is acquired through artistic expression, more freely in the preschool years and more methodically in primary and secondary school. Thus, contact with these languages begins with songs, finger plays, circles... Everything is transmitted orally. In primary school the songs are maintained, but more complex narratives, stories and games are introduced, as well as writing and reading the language" argues the expert.

Own subjects and traditional subjects

As we said before, the Waldorf method includes traditional subjects oriented towards the intellectual aspect and other subjects that collect and are based on the spirit of this pedagogy, which is what marks the main differences between the different alternative pedagogical systems. There are people who mistakenly think that in schools that are based on this method, none of the subjects taught in traditional centers are taught: "the Waldorf curriculum includes the subjects established by the government and, in addition, we complete it with our own subjects that are related to the plastic arts and everything that movement entails. For example, eurythmy, wood carving, knitting, pottery workshop, watercolor, drawing of shapes... These are disciplines with which children begin and accompany them to throughout schooling in our centers. In any case, our curriculum has as its common denominator the search for balance between feeling, thinking and doing. This means that the subjects are accompanied by experiences that allow us to go beyond the oral transmission of knowledge. For example, to learn measurements, we will begin by making a meter in the classroom and measuring our class, for example. And then, we will go for a walk around the block to integrate the kilometer.

Learning to read and write in primary school

Reading and writing, these are two basic skills for the development of the human being, they are basic principles of learning, however, each pedagogical method can approach them differently. In the Waldorf method, this process begins with the importance of motor and sense development: "in the first seven years, the child must have good motor development: this will help the maturation of his internal organs and the establishment of neuronal connections to be correct and fluid, healthy and healthy. Through the body we live our most vivid and effective experiences. If all the archetypal movement patterns are practiced correctly in the first years of life, we will have many possibilities of creating The abstract thinking necessary for cognitive learning occurs in a positive way. Furthermore, through the body they integrate movements that, first with the whole body and then, we gradually transfer them to the eye, which is coordinated with the movement of the hand. For example, the circles that we sing and dance every day are danced in the direction of literacy; reading. If we are in the greeting circle and we are checking if we are all there or if any of our classmates are missing, we do it from left to right. We integrate that movement into the activities, so that it is assimilated naturally. "And when are children taught letters and in what way? "Letters as such are not taught until first grade and a sensory-based process is also continued: children form the vowels with their bodies, draw them on the classroom floor and literally walk over them, teachers create songs that allow us to associate the vowel with the sound, with words. And before we begin to write them, we work for four weeks drawing shapes, first straight horizontal and vertical lines, and then curved lines. Although it seems that it will take them longer to learn to write or read for the "If we don't do it at the preschool stage, the reality is that practically everyone reaches the third trimester of primary school knowing how to write and read," concludes the expert.