I'd like to know the effectiveness of children teaching other children.

I have seen groups that specialize in health education in places like
Bangladesh (child-to-child.org) where adolescents teach
primary-schoolers about HIV, safe sex, etc  -- but I'm more interested
in subjects like maths, literacy (basic or advanced), or more physical
(experiential) --'how to do' things-- for example, cooking.

The more variety, the better.  First world, third world, cross age
groups and genders, anecdotes or numerical data are all fine.

---

Clarification of Question by mrsmith99-ga on 25 Oct 2004 23:26 PDT

You may, for example, want to start with work based on Piaget (1932)
and theories regarding peer education and mutual respect versus
so-called parent-child education.

Good evening Mrs Smith,

Anecdotal only and non-specific, but I hope this might engender
further thought on your excellent topic. I trust that it is relative
to your inquiry.

I contrast my own schooling to that of my daughter's. I'm 41, she is
now 12 (going on 25 mind you!). I hated school until latter years.
Mondayitis was a reality for me from a young age. Fear was used as a
motivator. The words insular, authoritarian, unquestioning belief,
regimented and colourless shades of grey come to mind.

Now for the positive bit. My daughter simply loves going to school.
The increased volume of homework is a drag, but she knows how to turn
a task into fun and to get on with the job. This little girl is a
walking sponge, soaking up information and teaching her dear old Dad a
thing or two in the process.

Now why might that be? Granted, she has a positive outlook and is
seemingly endowed with average intelligence. (Must be from her Mum's
genes of course). The other difference is her schooling environment.
From age 5, her primary school used a "buddie" system of support for
all kids. Each child was assigned a buddie from the year below. As the
little ones moved up, they too were assigned the same responsibility.
How simple! Imagine the motivation to learn. If I knew I had to care
for a buddie, well I would make sure that I could answer their
questions, else I will look foolish in front of a younger kid. I would
have to stick up for this kid too, if they encountered any problems.

One great way to learn is to explain your subject to someone who knows
nothing about that topic. It worked as a two-way street for these
kids. Simple, yet fantastic.

I can sum up your suggestion of kids teaching kids with this:

"So, you're on holidays now?"
"No, I'm not on holidays, the school is on holiday". 

She missed her friends and school that much.

Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts.

Kind regards, Phil

Mr Smith,

My apologies .. I re-read your salutation correctly this time .. I hope!

Phil

Phil-- exactly!! Make sure her high school doesn't crush that out of
her!! A love of learning is *everything*.

I'd love for someone to find some hard data on it though!