`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
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 ...

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