CONFLICT MEDIATION PROGRAM
It is important that every school counseling program have a conflict mediation program in mind for their students. When students are in a conflict situation, it normally consumes most of their thoughts. This means that it is affecting their schoolwork and their learning. Since the most important aspect of school counseling is making sure that the students succeed, it is essential that programs are in place to help students solve these conflicts. Conflicts can also affect a student's personal/social development because friendship and relationships are essential to a student's life. Professional school counselors are essential in facilitating these relationships because we build a trust with students within our schools. Students come to professional school counselors for help in given situations, knowing that they can trust us and that we will not be disciplining them for their conflicts. It is important to maintain these relationships through conflict mediation programs.
Along with this program, professional school counselors should be prepared to do interventions on an individual basis with their students. Conflict mediation should involve prevention and intervention at all levels of schooling. It should also involve ongoing implementation of programs dealing with conflict (Skiba & Peterson, 2000). It can also involve resources in the community when necessary. With this in mind, conflict mediation might include peer mediation, peer mentoring, and/or peer tutoring. As a professional school counselor, it is important to create programs revolving around peer mediation. According to the Orange County Department of Education (2011), "Peer Conflict Mediation is a process where elementary, middle, and high school students help fellow students resolve disputes in a peaceful manner. The goal is to help the students clarify the nature of their dispute and reach a mutually agreed upon solution."
Along with this program, professional school counselors should be prepared to do interventions on an individual basis with their students. Conflict mediation should involve prevention and intervention at all levels of schooling. It should also involve ongoing implementation of programs dealing with conflict (Skiba & Peterson, 2000). It can also involve resources in the community when necessary. With this in mind, conflict mediation might include peer mediation, peer mentoring, and/or peer tutoring. As a professional school counselor, it is important to create programs revolving around peer mediation. According to the Orange County Department of Education (2011), "Peer Conflict Mediation is a process where elementary, middle, and high school students help fellow students resolve disputes in a peaceful manner. The goal is to help the students clarify the nature of their dispute and reach a mutually agreed upon solution."
According to Skiba and Peterson (2000), "peer mediation is a negotiation-based strategy that teaches student mediators alternative strategies to help resolve conflict among their
peers." Peer mediation is commonly used throughout schools. Peer mediation is the process of having students work together to solve conflicts amongst two people or a small group. This allows minor incidents in the classroom to be resolved quickly before turning into more serious issues. It also teaches students an alternative skill set to use in conflict situations (Skiba & Peterson, 2000). It is important that each school curriculum have a variety of peer mediation activities on-hand for different scenarios. When creating a peer mediation program it is important to remember the culture and background of one's own school. More information can be found on this at the Study Guides and Strategies website under the Cooperative Learning Series on Peer Mediation. The importance of peer mediation is also described below in this article provided by the ASCA website.
Skiba, R. & Peterson, R. (2000). Creating a positive climate: Peer mediation. Safe and Responsive Schools, 1-2.
peers." Peer mediation is commonly used throughout schools. Peer mediation is the process of having students work together to solve conflicts amongst two people or a small group. This allows minor incidents in the classroom to be resolved quickly before turning into more serious issues. It also teaches students an alternative skill set to use in conflict situations (Skiba & Peterson, 2000). It is important that each school curriculum have a variety of peer mediation activities on-hand for different scenarios. When creating a peer mediation program it is important to remember the culture and background of one's own school. More information can be found on this at the Study Guides and Strategies website under the Cooperative Learning Series on Peer Mediation. The importance of peer mediation is also described below in this article provided by the ASCA website.
Skiba, R. & Peterson, R. (2000). Creating a positive climate: Peer mediation. Safe and Responsive Schools, 1-2.
One of the peer mediation programs that I have used with students is called Choose Respect. Choose Respect teaches students positive ways to speak to others and resolve problems. It strongly emphasizes using respect when dealing with any type of conflict, specifically in relationships. Attached are some of the lesson plans that were used at the middle school and high school levels for this guidance curricula.
There are many other resources available for someone to use when creating programs to help resolve conflict within the schools. Some of the resources that I have found to be helpful, provided by the ASCA website, are listed below.
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