The Waldorf School of Garden City is dedicated to nurturing the children’s capacities for imagination, healthy emotional development, independent thinking and positive action. In recognizing the harmful effects that media have on the development of these capacities we ask that parents modify their children’s media exposure to comply with the requirements outlined below:
The early childhood and grade 1-5 teachers request that parents eliminate media from the lives of their children. As need be, the teachers will assist by providing recommendations about how to carry this out.
From grades 6 - 8 it becomes increasingly difficulty to shield children from media exposure as their experiences become more varied and the influence of peer culture is stronger. Please remember that media exposure counters many of the benefits that a Waldorf education seeks to provide for young students. Teachers in these grades request that students not be exposed to media during the school week. The media content works directly against what is brought to them during class time. The grade 6 - 8 class teachers will help parents monitor and guide media exposure while continuing to work towards the protection of older children.
The High School supports reflection and informed guidance of the use of media and computer/electronic technology in the lives of our students. We encourage the perspective that media and technology be viewed as tools that, with proper use, may enhance the work of our students. On occasion, videos or other media may be used in the classroom for educational purposes. We ask the students to refrain from the use of electronic media, for example computer and video games and chat rooms/instant messaging, for recreation during the school week. We have found that such experiences hamper the challenging and creative work in which the adolescents are meant to engage.
At any level, parents are encouraged to speak to teachers about their questions and challenges related to media so that together they can work out a viable approach. Anyone who disturbs the healthy classroom atmosphere through a lax media policy at home may be asked to leave the school.
For our purposes media are considered to include:
- Television
- Radio, walkmen, discmen, mp3 players
- Movies
- Video and electronic games
- Computers
In a Waldorf school with a media policy that often seems contrary to the ever growing cultural romance with media and technology, we are constantly challenged to explore this important issue as a community. We hope to create an open, ongoing forum that brings understanding to the full influence of media on our students, from early childhood to high school, while providing a supportive environment for parents to share their concerns and questions.
To engage our parent community in an ongoing conversation regarding media, click here to read some frequently asked questions and responses about the topic of media and technology.