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).
Aims, Skills and Techniques
In this section the activities are designed to help children to explore the various skills and techniques they need to enable them to be an effective school buddy.
The aims of the buddy scheme
What skills does a buddy need?
Listening skills
Not listening
Body language
Questioning techniques
Empathy
The Aims of the Buddy Scheme
We will Aim to
help pals to settle
show them around
let them know we can help
listen to their worries
tell them about school
explain the rules
be there for them
show them how we behave at
this school
make them
feel good.

Talk to the children about setting up the buddy scheme and ask them to think of why this would be a good thing for your school. Tell them that a scheme such as this has to have definite aims ...