As a parent observing my children, I’ve had the moment that a lot of Waldorf parents have had where we’ve seen the magic.The interactions between the teacher and the students, and student to student, that are informed with respect, affection and tolerance. One senses a harmonious family-living, learning, and working together, and much enjoying itself in the process. Nimble minds and joyful hearts! That’s what comes to mind when I describe the children at Bright Water Waldorf School (BWWS). If they don’t know the answer, they are very comfortable in a personal belief that they will eventually figure it out. They feel their bodies can climb any tree, and that their hands can create whatever they put their minds to. When the weight of the wrong pressure at the wrong time is lifted, the real child is able to emerge and flourish. I’ve over heard one of the teachers say…”they aren’t afraid of a blank piece of paper!” You can see it when you look at their faces.The children are happy and fulfilled and inspired as they learn to read and act to music, learn to speak Japanese and Spanish, learn to play a string instrument and brass, learn to enjoy modern history and the renaissance, and learn artful woodworking and embroidery. Waldorf education rigor is gradual as they master cursive writing and creation of their own textbooks. My daughters stellar K teacher understood what a 4,5 & 6 year old world should be-listening to magical stories with puppet shows, building forts, cutting vegetables for the soup pot, setting tables and pouring tea, dancing and singing with joy. She was learning to work with her hands by sculpting with clay, threading with yarn, painting with water colors, and building structures with wood. Guided by an extremely skilled Waldorf teacher, my daughter was not only washing linens and manipulating beeswax but stopping to smell the roses and witnessing a bird building its nest as her K family got to know every nook of Volunteer park. Total bliss! The invaluable teachers know that what they are doing transcends conventional educational processes, as they beautifully model the Steiner philosophy of schooling the head, hands and heart. This holistic and developmentally appropriate approach provides an exceptional educational experience that not only means so much to all of the families on a daily basis, but becomes a part of who our children are for the rest of their lives.--Grateful Parent