What is Restorative Approaches?
Restorative Approaches (RA) is one way to respond to a conflict. By solving conflicts restoratively, students feel that they have an opportunity to be heard. Students learn to resolve conflicts by using non-blaming language as they are guided through a problem-solving approach. Students also learn to take responsibility for their actions and they have the chance to restore their relationships. RA requires that a student thinks about more than his/herself, and that they start to realize how their actions affect others.
RA also helps build and maintain relationship within the classroom. To help develop relationships, RA encourage teachers to use different classroom circles, such as: check-in/ check-out circles, teaching circles, sharing circles and games/energizer circles. The use of circles in the classroom helps students get to know each other better. It helps build a relationship between them and their peers, and between them and their teacher. In a circle, no one can hide- every student has the chance to share; from the shyest students to the most active ones. Each child has a chance to talk and be listened to. As they learn to talk/share their feelings, they also develop empathy, which helps to solve conflicts when they arise.
Here are some teacher testimonials of what Restorative Approaches means to them:
“Creating a community within the school.
Encouraging and giving students better strategies to deal with conflicts.”
“It is about finding the reason for actions, and
dealing with the underlying cause instead of only the action it
itself.”
“It is giving opportunity to the child/person to speak out
and explain the situation and the satisfaction that
his/her point of view is heard. Somebody at least has taken time to
listen."
“Helping students understand how their actions affect
others and helping them verbalize their own feelings.”
“Creating a classroom community that is respectful and
positive."
“Creating a community within the school.
Encouraging and giving students better strategies to deal with conflicts.”
“It is about finding the reason for actions, and
dealing with the underlying cause instead of only the action it
itself.”
“It is giving opportunity to the child/person to speak out
and explain the situation and the satisfaction that
his/her point of view is heard. Somebody at least has taken time to
listen."
“Helping students understand how their actions affect
others and helping them verbalize their own feelings.”
“Creating a classroom community that is respectful and
positive."