| teachers information
Buddy systems contribute to the creation of
safe, friendly and caring environments in which respect is a
key value and children learn the skills associated with empathy
and compassion through consciously constructed activities and
by looking after and caring for other people. This helps to combat
bullying and other forms of anti-social behaviour such as harassment
and teasing
The Better Buddies Framework also addresses
evidence suggesting that the teaching of pro-social values and
social skills can contribute to the development of resilience
in children - a protective factor as they experience hardship
and loss.
Please read below for more teachers information
or contact the Foundation’s Prevention Team on (03) 9697 0666 or email betterbuddies@amf.org.au
1. Better Buddies is based on recent research
Better Buddies was developed and refined on the basis of recent
research into buddy systems conducted by the Foundation. There
had been virtually no Australian research into this until this
study. Better Buddies aims to address the gaps in current buddy
programs as identified in the research.
2. Better Buddies fosters positive relationships
Better Buddies focuses directly on the systematic development
of positive relationships not only between buddies but also
between students and teachers and members of the whole school
community.
3. Better Buddies teaches social skills
Better Buddies directly teaches the most important pro-social
skills and
values which contribute to friendships and other social relationships.
This is more effective than just assuming that good social skills
‘emerge’ indirectly from the ‘buddy’ experience.
4. Better Buddies incorporates a wide and
engaging range of buddy activities
Better Buddies contains a wide range of engaging buddy activities
prepared by teachers for teachers. These cover different curriculum
areas. The research identified that teachers felt that most buddy
programs did not incorporate enough varied and engaging activities
for buddies to share.
5. Better Buddies uses ‘understudy buddy’
groups
The Foundation’s research identified that one problem with most
buddy programs was the negative effect of an older buddy being
absent from school. Better Buddies features a special structure
called ‘understudy buddy group’ which addresses this problem.
This structure also provides a support group for older buddies
in which they can work collaboratively to support each other
in being good buddies (e.g. by solving problem that arise in
their buddying role).
6. Better Buddies provides a training package
for older buddies
Better Buddies features a specific training program for older
buddies that can be implemented by teachers within the school.
Students are taught the skills that are needed to be an effective
buddy, how to deal with problems that might arise and about the
limitations of their role. Younger buddies are provided with
a simple introductory session.
7. Better Buddies also aims to reduce bullying
Better Buddies aims to reduce bullying behaviour through the
development of empathy, pro-social values and positive pro-social
relationships between children of different ages. In this way
the whole school culture becomes more positive, compassionate,
supportive and caring and it is very difficult for bullying
to get a foothold. Strong positive connections between children
discourage antisocial behaviour.
8. Better Buddies also has its own special
mascot
The mascot of the Better Buddies program is Buddy Bear, a small
purple teddy bear that all children can relate to. Buddy Bear
represents the core pro-social values of friendliness, respect,
care, including others, accepting difference and responsibility.
A summary of recent research findings about buddy systems conducted
by The Alannah and Madeline Foundation:
We increasingly understand social and emotional learning to be
equally important as academic learning for the success and
wellbeing of students. Schools are beginning to develop programs
that assist in building respect, care and support, and in doing
so, reduce bullying behaviours, and assist students to become
responsible and socially skilled.
Buddy systems contribute to children’s social
and emotional learning, increase student self esteem, improve
school climate and contribute to the development of caring learning
communities. Older students undertake supportive and caring relationships
with younger students and are involved in behaviours they would
naturally enjoy, such as talking and playing instructional games.
Through active involvement, they develop empathy as they learn
more about each other, and gain recognition for their efforts.
The technique also seems to make learning more interesting and
more fun with higher levels of engagement and focus shown than
in general teacher-directed instruction.
1. Cooperative group work
Cooperative groups help with the forming of friendships between
buddies. Learning listening skills, co-operation, empathy, and
problem solving skills helps to foster social helping behaviours
in children.
2. Peer tutoring
Buddy programs work best when the older buddies participate in
structured teaching activities with their younger buddies rather
than just socialising with them. As students assist others
in learning, they are learning themselves.
3. Age difference between buddies
The most successful age difference between buddies is at least
three years.
4. Effective planning and preparation
Buddy systems are more effective when they are deeply embedded
in a whole-school wellbeing focus and integrated in school
policies. Give time and consideration to decisions about buddy
partnerships, design of buddy activities, training of older
students, and informing younger students about what is happening,
and carefully monitor and evaluate the process. Since programs
can be disadvantaged by poor implementation, give time to setting
up buddy programs and arranging activities during the initial
stages
5. Teacher commitment
Awareness of the buddy system by all students and staff and teacher
commitment to it are important features of successful programs.
Teachers 'buddying up’ with other colleagues serves as a model
for students own behaviour as a buddy. The buddy system itself
encourages teachers to work in partnership for planning.
1. Creation of a positive, caring and supportive learning environment
Buddy programs incorporating peer tutoring contribute to more
positive, supportive and caring learning environments through
a reduction in competitiveness and an increase in helping behaviours.
2. Increased self esteem and connectedness
Older students see themselves as valued participants involved
in the teaching and learning of others. Being part of a buddy
system can reduce school absenteeism by creating connectedness
of older and younger buddies with their school.
3. Development of pro-social values and social
skills and behaviours
Other benefits of buddy programs are improved social skills and
stronger pro-social values. Older students experience positive
feedback from caring about someone else and so feel valued, while
younger students experience a sense of worth and observe and
receive kindness. Buddy programs can provide more opportunity
for students to learn to accept individual differences.
4. Collaborative learning reduces the anxiety
that competitive learning imposes
Cross-age buddy relationships can also provide students with
opportunities to socialise without some of the threats and expectations
that may accompany same-age interactions. Older students can
feel freer to adopt a warm and friendly manner with their younger
buddies and this modelling often has a positive effect on them.
5. Reduction of bullying behaviours
Programs that contribute to the building of positive peer relations
can help reduce the impact of negative behaviours such as bullying.
Older students become positive role models as they feel some
responsibility for the behaviours of the younger students,
who frequently seek them out if they need help.
Children are not born with the skills to make
friends; through their experience of the friendships of buddies,
they are often motivated to create similar relationships with
other students of their own age. Having friends helps protect
students from negative behaviour such as bullying. They feel
more connected to one another and are encouraged to help their
friends and peers if they witness bullying, rather than doing
nothing. The development of responsible and ethical behaviour,
empathy for others and understanding of the impact of negative
behaviours such as bullying has long-term beneficial effects
for individuals and society as a whole.
6. Buddy systems help to ease students into
transition
Students who have buddies at the beginning of their primary school
year or secondary school year feel a sense of friendship and
connectedness to the school because of the support and guidance
given by older students. Ideally, these students are positive
role models.
7. Buddy systems are beneficial for all students
" Those who teach others, teach themselves."
Cross-age buddy tutoring enriches both tutor
and tutee in achievement, motivation and interpersonal relations
where buddies can learn as they teach. Buddy systems help in
the classroom by providing one-to-one instruction under teacher-based
direction.
Students benefit because they are actively involved in learning,
observing each other's work, and questioning what is happening.
Tutoring adds to the growth and development of an individual,
providing friendship, protection, counselling, and ‘intellectual
nourishment' in a nurturing environment. Students begin to
have a greater understanding of each other and bridge differences.
Cross-age buddy systems use diverse methods
and cover an array of subject areas where disadvantaged students
and those with disabilities can also experience positive outcomes.
Where students have buddies as tutors, the instruction can be
tailored to the student’s rate of learning with on-the-spot practice
and amendments to instructions when needed. These tutors do not
have to be exceptional students; in fact, all students are capable
of being buddy tutors. Both older and younger students benefit
from being buddies, where they interact, guide and support each
other.
8. Buddy systems are beneficial for the whole
school
There are benefits for teachers, parents and the school and improved
student attitudes towards being at school. Teachers become more
involved in working collaboratively, planning and helping each
other; parents can be involved in planning and social events,
and are more aware of what is happening in their school through
information sessions and home activities. Students show positive
attitudes toward each other, learn to share, to help, to comfort
and empathise.
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