Special Subjects

Waldorf education teaches the whole child – head, heart, and hands. Special subjects include French, Music, Handwork, Woodwork and more, all working with the appropriate curriculum to provide a balanced education for the mind and body.

Handwork

Students in classes 1-8 have handwork lessons each week in which they develop the patience needed to learn new, complex skills and experience the joy of bringing each new item to completion.

  • Natural fibres are used to create beautiful, useful items
  • Perseverance is learned as months of work are needed to complete each cherished project
  • Fine motor skills are developed as students learn to knit, crochet and sew
  • Finger dexterity leads to healthy brain development as cross-stitch and embroidery are learned
  • Creativity is fostered as soft dolls and animals are designed and carefully sewn
  • Independence is fostered as students learn to read patterns and create their own clothing using the sewing machine

Woodwork

Woodworking begins with an emphasis on the qualities of wood and how to use the tools that shape it, before moving into building bowls, stools, furniture and more. Woodworking helps students with:

  • Hands-on learning
  • Fine motor skills development
  • Creativity and self expression
  • Problem solving and critical thinking
  • Collaboration and teamwork

Woodworking helps develop focus, creativity, perseverance, and skillfulness of eye and hand, and awakens an appreciation for the combination of usefulness and beauty.

Music

The art disciplines begin as early as pre-school, continue in various creative forms throughout the elementary school years, and are energetically pursued in the middle school and high school. A focus on music helps students:

  • Support overall development: cognitive, emotional, and physical
  • Improve language and math comprehension
  • Reinforce cultural appreciation and awareness
  • Cultivate empathy, cooperation and collaboration

Through music, we refine the capacity to connect, harmonize, and resolve dissonance, to think and feel, to mature, and make sound judgement, to vibrate, tune, and move about the world with wholeness.

Movement Education

Movement is an essential part of a holistic education, connecting the head, heart, and hands. Movement Education is integrated into the daily rhythm of school life, supporting students with:

  • Developmentally-appropriate movement
  • Building spatial awareness
  • Connecting movement with music, art, and storytelling
  • Fostering social skills and cooperation

At every stage of learning, Movement Education enhances kinesthetic learning while nurturing social connections, emotional growth, and cognitive development.

French

Nelson Waldorf teaches French language as part of our commitment to developing well-rounded, culturally aware students. By introducing French to students early on, we aim to cultivate:

  • A greater understanding of global diversity
  • Understanding of different cultures
  • Overall communication skills and vocabulary growth
  • Appreciation for the nuances and power of communication
  • Foundation for future language learning

By incorporating French language, we equip students with valuable language skills, cultural appreciation, cognitive development and a lifelong love of learning.

Special Subjects Teachers

Jules Slootweg

Handwork Teacher

Mark Hamilton

Woodwork Teacher

Joy Pritchard

Music Teacher

Leah Vivian

PE Teacher

Sophie Charlier

French Teacher