The Waldorf Approach to Technology
The Impact of Technology on Kids’ Development
As parents, we are all reckoning with the reality that technology and media have become an integral part of today’s society and that our kids are growing up in a digital age. Technology can be a highly effective tool when used responsibly and ethically. However, too much screen time, especially in the first few years of life, has been found to cause a range of different issues for children including delayed brain development in younger children leading to social and emotional issues, speech problems, and delays in fine motor skills and coordination. Issues with attention and concentration are also becoming more prevalent in children of all ages, including an increase in those diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Teenagers who spend hours on their smartphones and social media are also showing signs of social isolation, and there are high incidences of related mental health issues in young people such as anxiety, self-harm, and depression.
Waldorf education prioritizes healthy development and the slow and intentional introduction of technology so that our students are mentally and emotionally mature enough to work with it consciously and responsibly. Here at Marin Waldorf School, we recognize that when our students graduate from Middle School, they need to be equipped for life in High School and beyond, and this includes the awareness of how technology is used in society and the workplace. By emphasizing experiential learning through outdoor play in early childhood, alongside artistic activities, field trips, practical projects, music, and theater, our students have the opportunity to work on self-regulation, problem-solving, memory and attention, and social-emotional regulation prior to having to grapple with lots of exposure to technology and social media. This ensures that when they are introduced to technology, they are mature enough to use it as a tool, with intention and discernment.
Promoting Healthy Childhood Development through Waldorf Education
It is essential that kids encounter the real, analog world through as many varied experiences as possible; it is the most effective way to promote the healthy growth of the brain and create the basis in later years for successful learning. Kids need new, age-appropriate experiences; they are naturally curious and want to discover the world, absorbing new encounters through thoughts, images, and feelings. The Waldorf curriculum, especially in the lower grades, is taught through imaginative storytelling, hands-on projects, painting, drawing, crafting, making music, educational games, and outdoor play. The emphasis on learning through doing encourages healthy social interaction, emotional maturity, the development of fine motor skills, cognitive development, critical thinking, creativity, and resilience when met with challenges.
We know that Middle School students have the maturity and self-awareness to understand the potential positive and negative impacts of technology, social media, and the online world and we explore those topics with them through our CyberCivics Program. Through that program, we help ensure that our students can recognize and evaluate the risks associated with the internet, including peer pressure, mental health issues, privacy and security, gaming and social media addiction, and cyberbullying, as well as recognizing and exploring the benefits. Far from being put off from using technology, our Middle Schoolers learn to respect it and use it with intentionality and awareness. It becomes a tool to enhance photography, music, or an acting project, or for analyzing data in a math or science class. This means that when our students go on to High School, they can navigate technology, effectively, safely, responsibly, and ethically. Their natural creativity and enthusiasm for learning ensure they will quickly learn any new technology or media needed for thriving in the classroom and the wider world and will be able to easily adapt as technology continues to grow and evolve.
#KidsOnTech: Upcoming Speaker Series at Marin Waldorf School
At Marin Waldorf School, we are an education for the whole community. We aim to provide resources and information to families on important topics around childhood and education, and help families navigate the challenges that come along with raising healthy, happy, and thriving children. We’re therefore excited to invite you to a special film screening and open discussion that focuses on the impact of technology on kids’ well-being and the importance of navigating childhood technology use responsibly and ethically. #KidsOnTech is a thought-provoking, award-winning 50-minute documentary that delves into the evolving digital landscape and its effects on children. It offers valuable insights into how technology can challenge kids’ development and sheds light on the importance of mindful parenting in a tech-savvy world.
This event, which is part of our Speakers Series, is an excellent opportunity to speak to the director of the film, Paul Zehrer. Together we will have a meaningful discussion about how we can support our children in this rapidly changing world and explore ways of fostering a healthy relationship between children and technology so that they grow up with the necessary skills to thrive in today’s digital age. “In making this film, we wanted to explore how we might both protect and prepare our children for a rapidly changing world where turning back the clock is not an option,” said Paul. "While editing the film, everyone wanted us to offer a simple answer, but there were none. Our process was to seek out intimate conversations with parents, teachers, neuroscientists, tech executives, child psychologists, and kids of every age from around the world, hoping to better understand what’s become humankind’s greatest social experiment.”
#KidsOnTech Film Screening and Discussion Panel with Director Paul Zehrer
Wednesday, October 18, at 7 p.m.
To attend, please register for free here.
Watch the trailer here: https://kidsontech.film/trailer-en
