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The Young Helpers. Peer Helper Programs in Elementary Schools Anita Armstrong Drummond, MS, LPC. Workshop Objectives. To share some different types of peer helper programs To explain some of the benefits and challenges
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The Young Helpers Peer Helper Programs in Elementary Schools Anita Armstrong Drummond, MS, LPC
Workshop Objectives • To share some different types of peer helper programs • To explain some of the benefits and challenges • To give participants specific procedures, forms, letters, criteria that can be used in setting up programs
Summerdale School • Description of school and population • Student needs • Origins of program • Number of current participants • Different types of peer helper programs
Pineapple Committee • Symbol of hospitality • Criteria • 1st-8th graders • One boy and one girl from each homeroom • Friendly to others • Able to reach out to others • Responsible and good role model
Pineapple Agreement • They agree to 3 requests: • Welcome new students to your class • Sit with them at lunch for at least 1 week • Play with them during PE for at least 1 week
Pineapple Committee benefits • Helps new students feel welcome and comfortable in new surroundings • The first impression can have a huge effect • Program helps the peer helpers feel important, responsible • Helps the office staff by reducing time they spend with new students
Pineapple Committee stories • Alexis hinting to take the place of a member who moved • “Honorary” members • “We weren’t friends for just a week…”
Changes next year • We will keep the tee shirts hanging in the classroom so that the committee member can change into his/her shirt if a new student comes unannounced to school. • We may ask for volunteers who would like to serve as “honorary committee members” and let them wear a special pin when new members come.
Peer Mentors • Started with 7th and 8th, added one 6th • Early fall, ask teachers for referrals for both mentors and “friends” • Make list of both, review with teachers • Get permission from parents (letter) • Train mentors, sign agreement • Give mentors time, date, name and classroom of friend • Introduce to each other
Peer Mentors • Started with 7th and 8th, added one 6th • Early fall, ask teachers for referrals for both mentors and “friends” • Make list of both, review with teachers • Get permission from parents (letter) • Train mentors, sign agreement • Give mentors time, date, name and classroom of friend • Introduce to each other
Training Points • Why we need them • What is required; commitment • It’s okay to decline • Communication • Role model • CONFIDENTIALITY • Report problems to me (describe those) • Do’s and don’ts
Benefits to Mentors • Develops confidence • Improves communication skills (how to ask questions, how to listen, patience) • Develops responsible behaviors • Other students respect their status • Increases parents’ respect • Allows them an “excuse” to be a role model to age group and younger
Not your average role model • Some mentors are chosen for the benefit to them rather than the benefit to the little friend • Becomes a way to develop their skills and responsible behaviors • An avenue for kudos, feeling of helping others • With some who lack social skills, they are able to “practice” on a younger child
The little friends get… • Someone to listen and show interest • A big sister or brother who doesn’t take their toys • Feeling of importance, confidence • Someone on campus to wave, say hello • Feeling special • Motivation for better grades, effort
Challenges • With 10 grades, scheduling is limited • No flex time in schedules • Supervision..is everyone where they are supposed to be on the correct day? • Students forget their day, their responsibilities • Little friends get confused when they don’t show even though they have been told that mentor may be sick or absent one day
More challenges • Not enough students to match • Permission from parents • Connecting students to help teachers with a student who needs extra help with reading, homework, etc. • Helping a student whose parent didn’t give permission
Things I Want to Improve • Supervision of students, sign in sheets • More frequent meetings with mentors to discuss issues, problems • Re-training of mentors every couple of months • Time to meet with little friends for their input • Collecting data to show benefits (improved grades, fewer disciplines,teacher evaluations) • Permission from parents, creative solutions (sitting with several students at a time, etc.)
Success Stories • First one 4 years ago with 4th grade and 7th grade girls • Grady and Michael • Shannon—more outgoing, communication skills improving • Kate—appreciation of her own life
General benefits • Students who come to school distracted by home problems are not performing and learning at their best • Students can talk to a friend sometimes easier than an adult • When someone listens, we vent and then can often move on. When they can talk to a friend after getting off the bus, they can talk about those problems and then start class in a better frame of mind.
Changes to Mentors • We hope to train 4th, 5th, and 6th graders to become mentors for Pre-K-3rd graders. • By training them early and giving them more responsibility, we can help give them opportunities to be recognized and appreciated for these efforts. • May make this less formal—read to class before school, sit in cafeteria for bfast,…
For more information Anita Armstrong Drummond, MS, LPC Summerdale School Counselor P.O. Box 9 Summerdale, AL 36580 251-988-1246 adrummond@bcbe.org July, 2011