Peer mediation is a community-based process used in schools to resolve conflicts and foster problem-solving skills. Schools must plan and train mediators, who can work with students voluntarily or by referral. Mediators work to reach a solution that satisfies everyone, promoting community and autonomy.
Peer mediation is a community-based process where people work together to resolve conflicts and address problems. This technique is mostly used in school settings, although it can be applied to other situations as well. Peer mediation programs are often used to foster community and problem solving skills in schools and to encourage students to have autonomy. As a disciplinary technique, peer mediation has a number of benefits when the program is thoughtfully organized and well conducted.
For a peer mediation program to work, a school must engage in serious planning. There are numerous guides and videos available for schools wishing to set up a peer mediation program. After teachers and staff have met to discuss the basis of the programme, they can present the concept to students, inviting students to contribute ideas and formulate a peer mediation policy together. This decision-making process engages and interests students and promotes the development of a program that students will actually use and benefit from.
Mediators can be nominated by teachers or elected by other students, depending on the policy the school wants to set. Mediators receive special training from peer mediation professionals or qualified educational staff who may use a curriculum established by an organization that helps train peer mediators. Once trained, mediators can work in a variety of ways.
Students can voluntarily ask for peer mediation, in which case a teacher will set up an appointment and select mediators to discuss the situation. Students may also be referred to peer mediation by teachers, employees, or other students, in which case students may choose to participate or decline, in which case other types of disciplinary actions may be taken. Many schools place a strong emphasis on voluntary participation, recognizing that mediation is best accomplished when all parties are ready to have an open discussion. Mediators can also step in if they see a growing conflict in the classroom or on the playground.
By working with peer mediators, students involved in conflict can talk about the roots of the conflict and develop an action plan to address the situation. Peer mediators may be involved in one-on-one disputes or discussions between larger groups. Rather than issuing specific decisions or penalties, peer mediators work with their fellow students to reach a solution that satisfies everyone. Peer mediators may also be involved in student-teacher disputes in some schools.
Schools with these programs often find that conflicts are resolved much more quickly, before they become a serious problem that may require disciplinary action. Students tend to be more likely to solve problems with the help of their peers rather than undergo mandatory counseling sessions with adults, and the peer mediation process fosters community and encourages people to work together to solve problems. problems, rather than relying on other people to solve problems for them. Peer mediators can be of any age.
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