|  Part 1 | DOUBLE TAP TO ZOOM WITH PHONE OR TABLET Waldorf Educational Approach Rudolf Steiner’s beliefs about education and life are reflected within Waldorf schools (as they are called in the United States; in Europe they are typically referred to as Steiner schools). Steiner’s holistic approach of incorporating the body, mind, and spirit is infused in all aspects of the physical classroom space. Steiner was relatively prescriptive regarding the ideal classroom space, which was an outgrowth of his spiritual ideas and his concern for establishing a proper founda- tion for children. All Waldorf classrooms exhibit a distinctive aesthetic environment, as reflected in the wall colors and painting treatments, natural materials, artwork, draped fabric, and unfinished wooden imaginative toys (Uhrmacher 2004). Steiner believed that light, color, and form were all crucial ways to support a child’s spirit—all equally critical aspects of a Waldorf school’s distinctive physical environment. Learning spaces that promote fantasy, imagination, and creativity are typically found within a Waldorf school. The use of natural, unfinished play materials, along with fanciful draping and room coloration all point to a learning environment that upholds Rudolf Steiner’s belief in nurturing the whole child. | 12 | COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL