Rudolf Steiner founded the first Waldorf School in Germany in 1919. (Photo : Wikimedia)
The Waldorf School, a progressive system of education that believes in nurturing children's bodies and souls, has become popular in certain Chinese villages among middle-class families, opening the teaching methods of the school to both praise and skepticism.
Three years ago, the Waldorf School moved to Xinzhuang Village in Beijing's Changping District. It advocated the concept of developing students' bodies and souls.
In three years, around 180 middle-class families have chosen to send their children to the Waldorf School instead of a conventional school. These families have given up their large houses and stable jobs to move to Xinzhuang Village because they believe that their children can find love and freedom in the school.
There are nearly 700 Waldorf Schools all over the world. In 2004, the first Chinese Waldorf School was established in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.
The Xinzhuang branch of the Waldorf School was established in 2009 as the first one in Beijing. It has not been included in the city's official education system.
The school discourages students watching television, as well as learning Chinese characters and playing toys at a young age. According to the Waldorf philosophy, education must first teach a child's body, then his heart, then his mind, resulting in 6-year-old children who have yet to learn to read.
Parents have also felt social pressures contradict the school's philosophies. Many parents have grown skeptical that their children will not be as competitive later in life, given the less competitive nature of the education they are receiving.
However, many parents attest to the experience of seeing their children happier and freer.
"Love, freedom . . . it taught us how to take care of our children physically and mentally," said He Xiaoyan, a teacher from Taiwan.
Families who moved to Xinzhuang Village for the school have also expressed a sense of community that has developed.
"Living there is like you are being nourished. You can find what you want from the community," said Li Jiangnan, whose son is a student at the Waldorf School.
The Waldorf School collects 24,000 yuan ($3,784) in tuition fees for each child every year.
