Encouraging Students to Develop Peer Relationships in Schools

Including peer relationships in schools induce a favorable climate. The primary purpose of learning should not be restricted to academics alone, but make students enjoy their social environment and learn the fundamental values of the life. A positive and amicable peer-to-peer relation reflects the growth of the tender minds and their prospects.

Why Should Students be Encouraged to Develop Peer Relationships?

A positive relationship among students is essential to embed a sense of mutual and cultural respect for each other. This allows the young individuals to feel safe, free and high respect for each other. Valuing thoughts and opinions of others is vital. Therefore, encouraging students to have a good relationship with one another is a great way of helping them express themselves better.

Learning anything new is a great idea. Therefore, when teachers show students how learning a new thing requires a considerable amount of time investment and effort, they take the same shot in knowing each other during the learning process. The purpose is more about cultivating one’s beliefs, thoughts, ideas, expressions and sharing the same with their peers.

It is important to show students that making mistakes is normal. A teacher should demonstrate to them that one should be a lifelong learner and it is possible only through sharing of experiences. If a student commits any mistake, he/she can share the same with peers and get some new ideas how to improvise.

The best way to encourage students is through group discussions that are followed in many English medium schools in Siliguri and other areas of North Bengal. The trick is to allow students to discuss their ideas in small groups or pairs. Once they start comparing their views with one another, they can evaluate themselves better. Therefore, encouraging peer relationships enable in cultivating the young minds.

Remember, when students are taught to mix and mingle with each other, it unleashes the scope of instilling valuable life-skills in them, boosting their confidence and increasing their ability to enjoy more in schools. It deserves a special mention that the top CBSE schools in Siliguri focus upon social activities more by introducing extra-curricular activities that serve as a great way of mingling.

How Peer Support facilitates in Meeting Social and Instructional Needs of Students?

1. You must have heard of cross-age peer relationships. Under this approach, students belonging from high schools are taught to cater instructional support to secondary students. This is, indeed, a great way of encouraging students to develop peer relationships where there is no age barrier. Students have a better understanding of themselves through the process.
    
2. Collative learning is an instructional strategy to instill skills in students. It is an instrumental teaching method that helps in reviewing, practicing, and developing higher levels of thinking among students.
    
3. Also, peer relationships offer great support by enabling students to learn classroom processes and academic routines. Students are more aware of the appropriate behaviors and attitudes they should maintain in class and also towards each other.
    
4. The types of benefits achieved include respect for all, meaningful friendships, increase acceptance and understanding of diversity, greater academic results, etc. All these serve a great way of meeting instructional and social needs of students to help them grow into an accomplished human being.
    
5. It should be noted that all students should have access to human resources so that they understand each other more effectively. Besides, it helps them to know about life in a more concrete way and how they should adapt to the growing changes.

How to promote peer relationships in school?

As stated by an educator from Sri Sri Academy Siliguri, social development through peer relationships is essential. Encouraging students to join extra-curricular activities help them significantly. The best CBSE schools in Siliguri, Darjeeling and other parts of North India conduct special social activities like visiting old-age homes, introducing ‘’go green’’ initiatives like planting trees, engaging in social services like keeping the city clean, teaching programs or helping the needy.

Being part of social activities allows the restrained minds to slowly mingle freely and express their ideas and thoughts with each other. Peer support helps in academic success because more a student grows mentally, the better chances he/she has in well-grasping lessons and faring well in exams. This is one of the many significant reasons why peer relationships should be promoted in schools for a better future for the children.

Research shows that 90% of students claim that their fellow peers have influenced them immensely and positively in their studies and social behavior. If you are trying to admit your child in a school, consider educational institutions that offer an innovative approach towards life. For instance, the No. 1 schools in Siliguri, provides a futuristic attitude towards the growth of students, be it academically, mentally, or physically.