In Brazil, the Waldorf education movement has been active for 60 years, with 161 kindergartens affiliated with the Federation of Waldorf Schools in Brazil and 105 initiatives inspired by Waldorf pedagogy.
A fundamental aspect of Waldorf pedagogy in Brazil is the richness and challenges that our cultural, ethnic-racial, social, and environmental diversity brings. To address this, there are working groups seeking to delve into the demands this diversity imposes on us. For example, the Network of Social Organizations focuses on children and youth in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability, providing free services. Currently, there are 38 institutions serving over 5,000 children and youth.
Regarding training: The first Training Center was founded in the 1970s in São Paulo. Currently, there are 25 training centers in 12 federal units, aiming to support schools throughout the country. In 2017, the headquarters of the Rudolf Steiner College was established, offering undergraduate, graduate, and extension courses.
Our main concerns: Our primary concern is to keep six-year-olds in kindergarten. The age cutoff for entering the first grade in Brazil does not allow the retention of children until they are six years old in early childhood education. As a result, many legal and pedagogical actions are being undertaken by the Federation of Waldorf Schools in Brazil to justify the retention of children in early childhood education. Our second concern is to promote deeper training for early childhood educators. Between 2010 and 2020, there was a 200% increase in the number of institutions, reaching stability in the following years. This situation makes the Federation of Waldorf Schools in Brazil (FEWB) very aware of maintaining the quality of education, bringing as our third concern the search for processes that ensure the correct use of the Waldorf name.
Sandra Eckschmidt is a Waldorf early childhood educator in Florianópolis and works internationally as a trainer and mentor. She is a member of the IASWECE Council. Mariana Sabine Santos is a Waldorf educator in Campo Largo and a member of the IASWECE Council.