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feelings, developing empathy for others, solving problems using a step-by-step method, anger management, bully-proofing, personal safety, and self-esteem. Malcolm believes that it is not enough to tell children what they should and should not do. Putting these messages to music, music that is rich in rhythm, rhyme, and repetition, enhances the learning experience by taking it beyond the intellect into the context of the physical, emotional, and even spiritual. Children love to sing songs over and over again. One child who enjoyed The Buddy System in her school commented, "I like it so much that I sing it a thousand times." Each time, the message is reinforced. Malcolm and her former musical partner Dan Smith have sung these songs a thousand times in schools, at community centres, and at festivals, including the Vancouver International Children's Festival. Last year, they released a CD titled Work It Out, with twelve singable, danceable tunes that encourage children to feel good about themselves, become better friends, and solve The Buddy System: TEACHING PEACE THROUGH SONG m u s i c | by P e g g y Stortz Every day we hear more and more about the issue of bullying, in the school, on the streets, and even in our homes. Is there more of it going on or is it just more out in the open? It's hard to say. Those who experience bullying firsthand are often led to acts of desperation. Last November, a young Mission girl took her own life as a result of being bullied. Evidence in the trial of the Taber, Alberta, boy who opened fire in the hallways of his school revealed that he had been the victim of horrific bullying from the time he was a very young child. What is going on? North Vancouver's Sue Malcolm, who has worked as a school counselor for many years in inner-city Vancouver, has witnessed plenty of bullying, ranging from "playful" teasing to threats and out-and-out fights in the schoolyard. She knew that the best way to stop this kind of behaviour in children was to prevent it from developing in the first place. problems peacefully. Proceeds from the sale of the CD go the West Coast Violence Prevention Society (WCVPS), a registered charity that Malcolm formed to support the work of violence prevention through music. Malcolm and her new musical buddy Dale Rasmussen are continuing to take the Through her work in the school, Malcolm became familiar with an antiviolence curriculum called Second Step, which is widely used throughout British Columbia. Developed in Seattle, this program includes songs, and Malcolm, a talented musician and long-time member of the local folk and bluegrass scenes, decided to expand the musical component by writing and collecting other suitable songs. Thus came the birth of The Buddy message of violence prevention to young children. Their dedication to the project moved them to take leaves from their "day jobs" in order to spend as much time as possible spreading the word. In the meantime, even as the need for violence prevention programs in the schools and communities becomes more evident and pressing, government continues to cut their funding. Because of this, Malcolm and the WCVPS are pursuing grants and looking for "angels" to support their work to help foster a new generation of peacemakers, problemsolvers, and all-round healthy children. Perhaps, then, we can learn from the little ones. For more information about The Buddy System and the West Coast Violence Prevention Society, please call 990.4033, visit the website at www.buddy-system.org, or contact Sue Malcolm at info@buddy-system.org. System. System Along with songs, The Buddy includes discussion topics, role-playing, and a workbook aimed at primary students from Kindergarten to Grade Three. Malcolm recognizes the importance of working with young children before they become locked into violent and unsafe patterns of behaviour. "They are eager to learn and are still accepting of adults. This is where the biggest changes can be made," she says. The program's main goals are identifying and communicating 4 January | February