- KUALA LUMPUR
Ultimate Guide To Waldorf Schools in Kuala Lumpur (UPDATED)
Parents seeking an alternative form of education for their young ones might have come across the Waldorf or Steiner approach. Their emphasis on nature, arts, and imagination has certainly attracted parents keen on eschewing traditional rote learning in favor of creative play, especially during a child’s early years. Currently, several Waldorf schools can be found in major cities across Malaysia. Read our ultimate guide to Waldorf Schools in Kuala Lumpur to find out more about this fascinating form of experiential learning.
What is the Waldorf School?
- Back in 1919, Emil Molt, owner of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart, Germany, was looking to establish a school for the children of his workers. He turned to renowned artist and scientist Rudolf Steiner for help in creating a curriculum that will help the children engage with their heads, heart, and hands – or thinking, feeling, and doing.
- The Waldorf education’s intended outcome is to produce young people who are well-rounded individuals, independent thinkers, and problem-solvers, capable of creatively meeting challenges. The goal is to expose children to a wide range of experiences and to develop within them many interests and capabilities. This, in turn, leads to well-balanced young people with high levels of confidence in their ability to apply skills developed in one area to another and the knowledge that they can master anything.
What is the classroom like at a Waldorf School?
- At the kindergarten level, children between 3 to 6 years might be in the same room, and typical activities carried out during lessons include free play, movement games, story circles, arts & crafts, baking, puppet plays, nature walks, and celebrating the festivals. The daily schedule and rhythm in a Waldorf classroom provide room to support a child’s curiosity. Classrooms can take place indoors and outdoors, amongst nature where play is very much the norm, along with learning and movement.
Want more school guides? We’ve got you covered!
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HILLTOP HOUSE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE: Early Education Waldorf School In Kuala Lumpur *Kids Ages 1.5-6
Waldorf Schools In Kuala LumpurThe approach Hilltop House brings to children in the early years is highly dependent upon their stage of development. Appropriate expectations for a two-year-old will differ greatly from those for a four-year-old, and from those for ourselves as adults. As they become increasingly aware of the children’s subtle developmental stages and develop our capacity for observation, we can support them more successfully to reach new heights. It is the philosophy of Hilltop House that children who feel safe, comfortable, and respected will exhibit a natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
Hilltop House Child Development Centre (Preschool), 25, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi
Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +6012 376 9882, hilltophousecdc@gmail.com, Website -
KUALA LUMPUR STEINER EDUCATION: The "Classroom In The Forest" Waldorf School In KL
Guide To Waldorf Schools In Kuala LumpurKuala Lumpur Steiner Education follows Rudolph Steiner’s theory of child development, which divides childhood into three development stages, lasting approximately seven years each. The stated purpose of this approach is to awaken the “physical, behavioral, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual” aspects of each individual, fostering creative as well as analytic thinking. The curriculum of this school focuses on the development of the whole child; utilizing age-appropriate learning activities that match the stages of child development; including multiple intelligences in every aspect of learning; and creative experiential approaches that address the whole child in willingness, feeling, and thinking.
Kuala Lumpur Steiner Education, 3197 Jalan Penchala Indah, Penchala Hills, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +6012 312 8038, klsteinerschool@gmail.com, Website
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SASANA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL: First International Waldorf Schools In Malaysia (KL) *Kindergarten to Year 12
Waldorf Schools In Kuala LumpurIn this Waldorf-inspired early childhood center, much of the work of the teachers is directed toward the developmental readiness of the children for Class One. Activities in each class take into account the evolving developmental needs of the children, and adults guide as needed to facilitate healthy interactions. The physical environment of the center is carefully and aesthetically prepared with an emphasis on natural hand-crafted play toys and offers a beautiful garden setting. Their program each day follows a familiar unhurried rhythm of activities, providing an opportunity for children to experience a mood of reverence, joy, and wonder and the activities of giving and receiving, caring for others, and a sense of belonging. They are currently working on a new purpose-built campus, which is also located in Bandar Tasik Puteri, which they aim to open in 2026. Hoorah!
Sasana International School (Early Childhood Center), 40-G, Jalan Hijau 5/4, Pinggiran Lembah Hijau 4, Bandar Tasik Puteri, 48020 Rawang, Selangor, Malaysia, +603 6034 5821, OPEN DAY enrolments@sasana.edu.my / ENROLMENT enrolments@sasana.edu.my / GENERAL contact@sasana.edu.my, Website
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RIMBAYU PLAYGARDEN: Waldorf Kindergarten In KL
Early Education Waldorf School In Kuala LumpurRimbayu Playgarden is a Waldorf-inspired kindergarten situated near the woods and greens of forest reserves at Selayang, which is 21 km away from the city center. In 2014, a Waldorf elementary school was set up by a few like-minded families, who wish to provide education to the development of human individuality, eventually, an initiative to have a kindergarten emerged to provide care, especially to teachers’ young children. They believe in cultivating an appreciation of life, connecting children to nature, and developing a love for Mother Nature. Therefore their weekly program consists of 4 days in Playgarden with every Friday being their picnic day, where parents are also invited to join us in their park hopping activity.
Rimbayu Playgarden, 1, Jalan SU 37, Taman Selayang Utama, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia, +6016 277 3727, fionapoh@yahoo.com, Website
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TASKA LIN: Waldorf Education In Penang *1-5 Years
Waldorf-Inspired Nursery In PenangTaska Lin is a nursery based in Tanjung Tokong, Penang that caters to children aged 1 and above, up to 5 years old. The medium of instruction is mainly in English, Mandarin, Bahasa Malaysia, and some Japanese. Established in 2003 by Lee Swee Lin, also known as Teacher Lin, their curriculum is inspired by the Rudolf Steiner method. Teacher Lim completed a two-year Rudolf Steiner teacher training in Melbourne after working as an assistant teacher at a Waldorf kindergarten. She aimed to provide a safe space for children to play, develop, and enjoy their early childhood. As a result, the nursery acts as a bridge between home and formal schooling, nurturing children's natural creativity by offering practical activities, artistic endeavors, storytelling, imaginative play, counting games, physical play, and outdoor activities to foster holistic development in children.
Taska Lin, 2, Lebuhraya Halia, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Penang, Malaysia, +604 899 6414 / +6016 418 6414, Website
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NANIA KINDERGARTEN: 3-6 Years
Waldorf-Inspired Japanese & English Language Kindergarten In PenangLocated in Penang, Nania Kindergarten is a Rudolf Steiner-inspired kindergarten that began as a home-based establishment in January 1997. Founded by Ong Kung Wai and Junko Suzumoto, the name was inspired by C.S. Lewis' "Narnia" stories, symbolizing a place where children can visit, grow, and return repeatedly. Here, children learn, play, and form strong friendships with their peers, families, and staff members. Apart from preschool classes, Nania provides after-class care, a craft class for older children, and a playgroup with parents on Saturdays. Nania emphasizes the importance of rhythm in children's development, leveraging their inclination to imitate. The kindergarten incorporates music and artistic activities into the daily life of the children. They also follow a comforting daily rhythm that includes artistic activities, snack time, ring time for singing and movement, outdoor play, lunch, afternoon activities (including literacy classwork for older children), and storytime.
Nania, 7, Jalan Nunn, Penang, Malaysia, +604 226 5480, Website
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