The Waldorf Approach to Technology, Preschool through High School
Waldorf and mainstream research has shown that smartphones, social media and internet gaming can lead to addictive behaviors, a lack of empathy, and increased anxiety and depression. To this end, Portland Waldorf School is an educational community which thrives on person-to-person interaction among students, teachers, staff, and families. Our electronics use policy is designed to foster a humane educational environment and community for all students.
Early Childhood and Elementary School Guidance
Our curriculum carefully balances academic, artistic, and practical activities to stimulate and develop the imagination. The children take these experiences and images into their sleep life where they mature and progress, so that they may be further developed by the teacher the next day. Screen based media, such as television, movies, computers, video games, electronic tablets, smartphones, cell phones and even music on electronic devices can prevent this from happening. We work consciously at every grade level to cultivate children’s natural creativity, to provide conditions that allow them to concentrate on challenging tasks that help them grow, and to lay the basis for a life of intellectual inquiry
In the early childhood years (including grades 1-5) we strongly recommend little to no screen media. This protection from the adverse effects of screen time allows more time for social interaction, creativity and problem-solving. Your child’s development thrives when given opportunities for inside and outside play. We encourage you to allow your child to join you in the happy care of home environment and exploration of the natural world “first-hand”. Abilities and self-sufficiency skills will increase, and they will gain confidence and competence in knowing how to do things and how to make things, as opposed to living in a virtual world.
Middle School Guidance
We strongly recommend that students (grades 1-8) do not engage with social media or algorithm driven content. As students move up in the grades the topic of screen media and electronic devices will become a topic in class meetings. We recognize the pressures of our information-rich society and virtual friends, and we wish to help create support for parents who wish to allow their children to develop to their fullest capacities while in the Grade school. Successfully navigating the nuances of social media sites takes greater self-knowledge and self-control than the Grades student possesses.
High School Guidance
Our high school students learn how to use technology as a tool to enhance their education, while maintaining a cell phone free campus. Students learn how to conduct research, create presentations, and use technology to pursue their individual interests - such as in graphic design, music production, photography, engineering, and more.
To learn more about this topic, here are a few helpful resources and articles:
The Terrible Costs of a Phone Based Childhood (The Atlantic)
At Waldorf School In Silicon Valley, Technology Can Wait (New York Times)
Inside the tech-free school where high-tech parents are sending their kids (CNBC)
Why top Silicon Valley executives are waiting to give their children smartphones (Why Wait)
W.H.O. Says Little to No Screen Time for Kids Under 5 (New York Times)
