Peer Mediation 3rd- 5th Grade
Peer Mediation is a service open to all students. Our Peer Mediators are 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade students chosen through an application & interview process and are required to complete mediation training.
What is Mediation?
When you have an argument or fall out with someone there are lots of people who can help you sort it out. It might be a teacher, mom or dad, brother, sister or friends. Sometimes people can sort out arguments by themselves, but it can be good to have someone else there to help you.
Mediation is where you get a Peer Mediator to help. A Peer Mediator is someone who is your age who has been taught to help people sort out arguments. The mediator helps each person who has fallen out to tell their side of the story and to help get an agreement on how to sort out the problem.
A Peer Mediator does not take sides, they don’t go and tell everyone else what has been said, in other words they keep what is said private. They don’t tell people what they have to agree to, that’s down to each person.
A peer mediator needs to be:
Peer Mediation is necessary when students encounter a problem they are unable to solve without help. Peer Mediation gives students the opportunity to confront a person that they have a conflict with in a peaceful manner.
How are Referrals Made to Mediation?
What are the Benefits of Having a Peer Mediation Program?
Benefits for School Staff
Benefits for Peer Mediators
Benefits for the Student Body at Large
Benefits for Families
Benefits for Society
What is Mediation?
When you have an argument or fall out with someone there are lots of people who can help you sort it out. It might be a teacher, mom or dad, brother, sister or friends. Sometimes people can sort out arguments by themselves, but it can be good to have someone else there to help you.
Mediation is where you get a Peer Mediator to help. A Peer Mediator is someone who is your age who has been taught to help people sort out arguments. The mediator helps each person who has fallen out to tell their side of the story and to help get an agreement on how to sort out the problem.
A Peer Mediator does not take sides, they don’t go and tell everyone else what has been said, in other words they keep what is said private. They don’t tell people what they have to agree to, that’s down to each person.
A peer mediator needs to be:
- A good listener
- Patient with others
- Good at cooperating
- Able to keep things private
- Caring to others
- Sensitive to other’s feelings
Peer Mediation is necessary when students encounter a problem they are unable to solve without help. Peer Mediation gives students the opportunity to confront a person that they have a conflict with in a peaceful manner.
How are Referrals Made to Mediation?
- Self
- Faculty/ Staff
- Students
- Parents
What are the Benefits of Having a Peer Mediation Program?
Benefits for School Staff
- Staff spends less time settling disputes among students.
- The program decreases pressure for staff to be constant disciplinarians.
- The program reduces tension among staff and students.
- Improvement of school climate is achieved through better staff and student relationships.
Benefits for Peer Mediators
- They develop leadership skills.
- They enhance their language skills.
- They improve their academic achievement.
- They increase their self-esteem.
- They learn communication skills that are valuable in all relationships.
- They learn a problem-solving technique applicable to many situations.
- They have a strong positive influence on other students.
- They become role models for peace at their schools.
Benefits for the Student Body at Large
- Students become active in the problem-solving process.
- The program leads to greater commitment to making solutions work.
- The program provides positive models for solving conflicts.
- Students assume more responsibility for solving their own problems in a peaceful manner.
- Students recognize that adult intervention is not always necessary.
- The process encourages students to share their feelings and search for positive ways to meet their needs.
Benefits for Families
- The problem-solving process carries over to families. Parents and children have reported that conflicts at home are being resolved more effectively.
Benefits for Society
- Schools that teach students positive ways to resolve conflicts are aiding in the reduction of violence in our society today. Youth who learn to resolve conflicts positively are likely to do the same when they grow up.