Buddy system

[Gemini]

I wondered if any members have grandchildren with experience of this at their schools?

GS1s family had a letter telling them that GS would be teamed with a 'buddy' when he starts school in September. The buddy is a child in Year 6 who will look out for them, especially at first. His buddy is called Jessica. GS is very excited at the idea!

I am in favour of it, I'm sure it helps with settling in, especially for a child like GS1 who relates to adults and older children slightly better than children his own age.

[Grauntie Mag]

What a good idea. Good for the 'buddy' as they learn a kind of responsibility and excellent for the newbie. I must ask DD2 if they have anything similar in GS's new school. They most certainly could have done with it in DD2's children's school. I did see a designated place in the playground there for children to go to if they had no-one to play with. Not such a good idea! Who wants to be seen as billy- no-mates....😬

[granma2aj]

My children had it when we moved and they started their new school good idea as it helped them to find were everything was and someone to ask for help my girls are still friends with there buddies it's a big step starting a new school plus it helped me as well as to know that they had someone to talk to

[Nanto2girls]

This sounds like a good idea,but i have no experience of it.

[Oma]

Yes we have them in several of our schools , I think its getting more popular and a brilliant idea , a child will respond better to a older child if they are scared or upset than they would to a adult helper or teacher who has lots of children to look after , in GS1's Primary the first few weeks the older children go to the play ground with the young ones till they find their feet and things are not as scary , they are told to gently encourage the new starters to make friends and go off and play with them , it also gives the older children a sense of responsibility too

[Clover]

Our GC both experienced the buddy system from both perspectives,as a newcomer and as a buddy.GD was a bit apprehensive and upset as she had been told her buddy was to be a boy! However she survived. When she in turn was a Year 6 buddy she was partnered with a little autistic boy.

[Glammanana]

Its such a good idea my Abigail was a buddy when she was in her old school it did her the world of good having responsability for the new comers as she was a shy girl when she first started there so it worked out very well for her.

[Daisy]

It's a good idea, and I'm sure both children benefit in most cases.

In the Infants school GD1 has just left she was one of the 'playground buddies'. If they noticed a child on their own or looking a bit lost a buddy would got and offer to play with them or invite them into the game they were playing. GD1 really enjoyed that responsibility and it was one of the things specifically mentioned on her end of year report.

[Qwerty]

It's a great idea Gem my eldest g/d was a buddy she spent time with a little disabled girl fetching and carrying as walking wasn't good, they have become good friends and I think it learns children be kind to one another and smooth the transition between classes

[Avo]

our gs has a buddy for 'dinner time', his buddy 'harry' is in class 4. I think it's a good idea to help the little ones and the bigger ones get a sense of pride helping them.

[Gemini]

I must ask GS how he is getting along with his Buddy when I see him on Wednesday.

[Daisy]

It will be interesting to see what he says, Gem. I hope he's settling in at school and enjoying it.

My GD1 has 'gone up' to the Junior school this term and as she is with lots of her friends from the Infants it hasn't seemed too strange, but an older girl (with the same Christian name) has 'adopted' her and goes in with her if they arrive at the same time. I think GD1 feels quite grown up going into the playground with a 9 year old.

[Mimi]

Yes my GD was a 'buddy ' in her last year at primary school.

[Gemini]

GS told me today that he loves his buddy Jessica and sees her every day

[Plantaholic]

That is nice, he will look up to her.