In the Steiner education system art, music and handicrafts are as important as the 3 R's (reading, writing & arithmetic). Steiner emphasized the importance of achieving balance in the 3 different ways a person relates to the world - through the realm of thinking (the head), the life of the emotions (the heart) and physical activity (the hands). Education of the head, heart and hands are all equally important for the development of the child and is the foundation of the Steiner approach.

Steiner education has its basis in Anthroposophy - a deep understanding of the human being and his or her place in the universe. Steiner based his educational system on the needs of the child's development as he grows from year to year. At each stage, as the child reaches important milestones, such as learning to walk, to talk, the change of teeth, puberty, etc, certain psychological and spiritual changes occur which are reflected in a physical change. Steiner education makes available the right impetus to this growing child at the time it is needed by him. The activities in the class present a perfect balance of the practical, artistic and academic, providing stimulus and support, a gentle push in the right direction with a happy cushion of comfort to fall back on. Thus, the development of the whole being of the child is fostered, laying the basis for the development of a human being who is able of himself, to impart purpose and direction to his life with clarity of thought, sensitivity of feeling and strength of will.

"WHAT EVERY PARENT WOULD WISH AS THE BEST FOR HIS OR HER CHILDREN, WALDORF EDUCATION PROVIDES. THE FULLEST DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTELLIGENT, IMAGINATIVE, SELF-CONFIDENT AND CARING PERSONS IS THE AIM OF WALDORF EDUCATION. THIS AIM IS SOLIDLY GROUNDED IN A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, IN AN INTELLECTUALLY RICH CURRICULUM, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF KNOWLEDGEABLE, CARING HUMAN BEINGS AT EVERY STAGE OF THE CHILD'S EDUCATION"

- DR. DOUGLAS SLOAN, PROF OF ED. TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIV.