I would like my child to learn Mandarin/Malay/Tamil. Do you advise enrichment classes?
We have a very diverse group of children and English is used as the language of instruction. We encourage parents to teach their mother tongue in the same creative, non-academic way that we use English at school. Some examples of this are story telling with puppets, songs and rhymes.
Why are children attending half days only?
The children are very active and we find that they are tired at the end of the morning. They need time to adjust to "school life", the rhythm of the day, the social interaction and what is expected of them in terms of behavior. Good working habits need to be established early on, they need to concentrate and there is still a great deal of physical activity.
Why are young children discouraged from watching TV?
The reasons for this have as much to do with the physical effects of the medium on the developing child as with the (to say the least) questionable content of much of the programming. Electronic media are believed by Waldorf teachers to seriously hamper the development of the child's imagination - a faculty which is believed to be central to the healthy development of the individual. Computer use by young children is also discouraged.
Television, movies, DVDs, computers and electronic games have a profound effect on children. If children are watching every day, the effects never wear off at all. Children may speak in cartoon voices, reenact 'violent' movements and compulsively repeat character catchphrases. This is now seen as normal childish behavior, but it really comes from these media, not from the children themselves.
Waldorf teachers are not, by the way, alone in this belief. Several books have been written in recent years expressing concern with the effect of television on young children. See, for instance, Endangered Minds by Jane Healy, Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television by Jerry Mander, or The Plug-In Drug by Marie Winn.
What are your expectations from the parents?
Our parents play a crucial role in the building of a healthy, successful and wholesome community. Parents are expected to volunteer either in management, administration, playgroup and fund raising activities.
Parents also need to work towards understanding the principles behind Waldorf education so that they can provide a home life that supports the education being given at school. It is important for children to experience a consistent values system in their home and school life.
How are your programmes funded?
The Waldorf Steiner Association of Singapore is a co-operative, we run entirely on parental contributions and voluntary donations from our members.
Who was Rudolf Steiner?
Dr. Rudolf Steiner was a highly respected and well-published scientific, literary and philosophical scholar who was particularly known for his work on Goethe's scientific writings. He later came to incorporate his scientific investigations with his interest in spiritual development. He became a forerunner in the field of spiritual-scientific investigation for the modern 20th century individual.
His background in history and civilisations coupled with his observation in life gave the world the gift of Waldorf Education. It is a deeply insightful application of learning based on the Study of Humanity with developing consciousness of self and the surrounding world.
How do Waldorf children fare when they transfer to "regular" schools? Is it true that once you start Waldorf schooling it is difficult to "fit in" to other schools?
Generally, transitions to mainstream schools, when they are anticipated, are not problematical. We advise parents who wish to enroll their child in mainstream Primary schools following the Waldorf Early Childhood Programme to consider extra enrichment programmes to help prepare their child to adjust. | 
