The Interactions for Peace © - Primary Peacemakers © Program is a series of interactive lessons designed to help pre-school through second grade children discover the peacemaker
inside of themselves.
A Brief History...
The Primary Peacemakers © program was developed and ready for pilot studies in 1998. The philosophy and experiential lessons reflect 30 years of experience in the educational field by Eden Steele and 30 years of experience in the mental health arena by Kaye Pesavento. The presentation of each lesson is based on an educational format with the content highlighted from a psychosocial perspective.
Before finalizing Our Primary Peacemakers © Program, we wanted to learn from children of different backgrounds and experiences as they encountered our lessons. We conducted our pilot studies in a San Diego, California preschool, in three Chula Vista, California elementary schools, and in schools in San Marcos, California. During our pilot studies, the Primary Peacemakers © lessons, except those taught at one Chula Vista elementary school, were led by Americorp*National Civilian Community Corps (A*NCCC) members under the direction and supervision of Kaye Pesavento. A*NCCC is a “residential, national service program that provides full-time opportunities for young people to serve their country and help communities meet compelling needs.” Teams of A*NCCC members ranging in ages 18 to 24 “help solve community problems in the areas of the environment, public safety, education and other unmet human needs.” The A*NCCC teams of twelve to fifteen members enthusiastically engaged in learning the identified lessons and welcomed the opportunity to be in a school setting with the children.
In all of the pilot schools, the staff agreed on the following concepts:
The importance of beginning at an early age teaching children skills that will help empower them to better deal with conflict.
The hope that if consciousness could be raised at an early age and skills internalized
with repeated success, then perhaps the violence seen in junior high and high school
will not be so prevalent.
The necessity of the Primary Peacemakers © lessons to be taught early in the school
year so children will have the opportunity to practice the skills taught to them throughout
the school year.
The idea of having a frame of reference and common vocabulary to refer to when
helping kids identify their feelings and then realizing they had choice available to them in order to take an action that would help them feel empowered and confident.
The necessity of having a seamless system of integrated programs to continuously reinforce peaceful vocabulary, right action and non-violence.
To learn more about Primary Peacemakers ©, please visit Our Community Section, sign-up for Our Newsletter, and/or Contact Us for more information. Thank You.
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