Peers Can Help Your Child Succeed

Asking peers to help a special-needs child in a mainstream class has long been done on an informal basis, but some schools are starting to formalize that -- with credit and training for the helping peer, with careful matching between students, with support for both students, and with interaction among teachers, peers, and paraprofessionals to make the process as successful as possible. While none of us wants kids put in charge of our kids' schooling, there can be real advantages to having peers motivate our students to challenge themselves and learn. Find out more in the article "What Are Peer Support Arrangements?" and consider pushing your school to join the pioneers for this sort of plan.

More Parenting Tips: Tips of the Day | Behavior ABCs | Parenting Book Reviews

_{Image by Terri Mauro}