Peacemakers on the Playground

First Grade has a new classroom role—the recess helper! This special responsibility is designed to give students an opportunity to practice the self-regulation, conflict resolution, and emotional awareness skills they have been learning this year, especially through the focus on the Zones of Regulation. Recess helpers serve as peer mediators, offering friendly support to classmates navigating small disagreements during play. 
Research shows that empowering children to resolve conflicts among peers builds empathy, strengthens problem-solving skills, and creates a more inclusive community. By giving students the tools to address challenges constructively, we are not only reducing conflicts but also fostering leadership and confidence. We are proud to see our first graders rise to this new responsibility and grow into thoughtful, capable problem solvers!