10/11: Peer Mediation in Primary School - An innovative approach
Peer Mediation in Primary school has been in Australia now for a little over twenty years. Most schools train a variety of students from grade four upwards. One school that has really shown the way in this area is Sunbury West Primary. This school has run the program for several years and has some wonderful innovations.
This year they trained students from grade four. What did the grade four students need to do in order to become a mediator? Firstly they had to put together a written application which was assessed by the grade five and six students who selected the most suitable applicants.
Here are some exerts from the applications;
“I would like to be a peer mediator because I am fair, I listen, I’m level headed and I would be able to listen to both sides of a story….”
“I think it would be a great experience…I will enjoy it a lot.”
“I am committed to being a peer mediator because I am responsible and will remember to do my duty. I am a nice caring person and I also like to help sort out problems without being bossy so everyone feels happy.”
“I’d love to be a peer mediator because I’m a good listener and have got really good hand writing.”
Once the two day training is completed; the grade four students become trainees that go around with a grade five or six student learning on the job. The mediators at the school patrol the yard and assist where children are having arguments. A good deal of their time is spent around the play area for children in prep, grade one and two. There are often problems around “hurtful language, threats of changing friendship groups and game rules.”
Not only are the mediators able to assist these students but they also possess stickers which they hand out to children who are displaying positive behaviours such as including children in their games or showing other acts of kindness.
To ensure the younger children at the school understand what mediation is, the students perform role plays for the various grades and explain their role in language the younger children understand. The mediators are very visible during the lunch break with their bright yellow tops.
Whilst the school has many other programs in place, it is heartening to see first hand how they are equipping their children with such important life skills at a young age.
Item viewed: 13057 times
This year they trained students from grade four. What did the grade four students need to do in order to become a mediator? Firstly they had to put together a written application which was assessed by the grade five and six students who selected the most suitable applicants.
Here are some exerts from the applications;
“I would like to be a peer mediator because I am fair, I listen, I’m level headed and I would be able to listen to both sides of a story….”
“I think it would be a great experience…I will enjoy it a lot.”
“I am committed to being a peer mediator because I am responsible and will remember to do my duty. I am a nice caring person and I also like to help sort out problems without being bossy so everyone feels happy.”
“I’d love to be a peer mediator because I’m a good listener and have got really good hand writing.”
Once the two day training is completed; the grade four students become trainees that go around with a grade five or six student learning on the job. The mediators at the school patrol the yard and assist where children are having arguments. A good deal of their time is spent around the play area for children in prep, grade one and two. There are often problems around “hurtful language, threats of changing friendship groups and game rules.”
Not only are the mediators able to assist these students but they also possess stickers which they hand out to children who are displaying positive behaviours such as including children in their games or showing other acts of kindness.
To ensure the younger children at the school understand what mediation is, the students perform role plays for the various grades and explain their role in language the younger children understand. The mediators are very visible during the lunch break with their bright yellow tops.
Whilst the school has many other programs in place, it is heartening to see first hand how they are equipping their children with such important life skills at a young age.
Item viewed: 13057 times
