Teach core values and connect them to conflict and peer mediation. For example, discuss the meaning of values such as empathy, honesty and kindness and relate them to how you should interact with someone during a conflict. Discuss values such as confidentiality and impartiality and how you should practice these values if you are helping to mediate a conflict.
Train peer mediators to use mediation tools that reflect the transformative approach. For example, instruct the mediators to have the parties involved in the conflict take turns expressing what they are thinking and feeling in regard to the conflict. Instruct the mediators to listen carefully and to promote calm, empathetic reactions. The mediators do not have to suggest a solution or even "run" the process. They are simply there to facilitate the two parties' interactions in a positive way.
Practice conflict mediation through the use of role play. Give your students scenarios in which two people act out a conflict and peer mediators step in to facilitate healthy discussion.
Allow your students to have fun during the process of tranformative peer mediation. This is especially important for elementary school students who may not have the social, intellectual and emotional skills to focus on conflict for long periods of time in serious ways. One way to keep it fun for the students is to involve everyone in a game once peer mediation is done to encourage light-heartedness and unity.
Refrain from requiring students to solve a problem. If students express their feelings in a positive way and listen to the other person as well, the mediation process is a success. Even if you don't formulate a "solution," children in this age bracket often forget the whole conflict quickly and are ready to move on to the next activity.