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).
Buddying, not Friendship
In this section the activities are designed to help children to understand the difference between the casual role of friendship with their peers and the more professional role of a buddy. It is important for the pal to feel secure with her buddy and that everything will be confidential unless there are child protection issues or the pal agrees to involve other people.
Boundaries
Distancing
Keep a distance
Confidentiality
Disclosing
Boundaries
Explain to the children that there are boundaries to their role as buddy and that they must make sure that they do not overstep the boundary lines.
A Buddy isn't

a parent
a teacher
a nurse.
A buddy cannot:
take on a pal's worries
always sort out problems
tell a pal what to do
make the pal do things
always be there
do her homework
help her ...