The modern schooling system reinforces the short-term, throw-it-away culture with plastic toys, ink markers and TV in the classroom.

Thankfully, there is another way: Waldorf schools, also known as Stenier schools.

Named after the first school founded by philosopher Rudolf Steiner for the employees of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette company in Germany, Waldorf now has over 1,000 schools worldwide.

The tenets of the education focus on whole person education and tailoring schools to fit the developmental stages of each child. Along the way, the philosophy advocates using all-natural materials in the classrooms – never any plastic or processed materials. Students learn the natural rhythms inside themselves and gain the confidence to express their unique individuality.

To learn more, meet parents and teachers, there is an open house this Saturday in NDG at the Montreal Waldorf School.

The quote above from Einstein summarizes why Waldorf is a sustainable education whose value will last a lifetime for its students.