Restorative Practices and Peer Mediation Training Manual: Fourth Edition

*This newly revised and updated fourth edition features interactive activities for the students being trained. In addition, activities specific to empathy development have also been added.

This manual was created to train students to serve as peer mediators and for the

implementation of a Peer Mediation/Peer Court program. I wanted this to be a training tool that educators can quickly grab off their shelves with little to no planning required. The target age for training is upper elementary, middle, and high school students.

The primary goal of restorative practices is to decrease unwanted behaviors in

students by helping them engage in prosocial, problem-solving communications. Punitive consequences (i.e., in-school and out-of-school suspensions) detach offenders from their peers and their learning environment. Punishing offenders also often leads to resentful (and even worsening) behaviors. They need opportunities to build appropriate social skills to resolve conflicts peacefully. Restorative practices have proven to be a successful and meaningful alternative to suspensions and punishments.