Summary
Contents
`For any teacher or school wanting to set up a buddy scheme, or to explore the possibility of doing so, this book contains some useful suggestions, ideas and guidelines. Even if a school did not wish to adopt the buddy system itself, the book contains useful material relating to citizenship and specific problems, like bullying which makes it a potentially useful resource for teachers and schools in general' - Early Education Peer buddy systems have been demonstrated as very successful with older students. Positive effects are recognized for the individuals befriended and also for the whole community. Margaret has used her vast experience with younger children to develop a programme which achieves these outcomes at the stage when they are learning the skills of friendship and co-operation. Using her popular style of differentiating activities and teaching for two age groups, 6-8 and 9-11, Margaret has provided an exciting, innovative and challenging programme which enhances the citizenship curriculum and the atmosphere of the school. Margaret Collins is a former headteacher of an infant and first school. She is now Visiting Fellow in the School of Education at the University of Southampton. She researches children's perceptions of health education topics, writes and co-writes teaching materials for children, books and articles on personal, social, health and citizenship education (PSHCE).
Introduction
Introduction
Why Have a Buddy Scheme?
‘Mentoring, peer modeling and peer monitoring can influence children's behaviour in school corridors and yards, in their homes and in their community environment, bridging the traditional gap between the school and the ‘real world’. They reach where the teacher can not be or can not go.’
‘The practice of befriending, although it can take a variety of forms, is usually focused on enabling the pupils to apply the skills of helping in everyday interactions with peers… what ever the form befriending schemes take, the brief for the young people involved is to offer emotional support and friendship to their peers.’
A peer buddy scheme can be beneficial to the whole school. It is thought that peer relationships provide ...