Restorative practices as formal and informal education

This article reviews restorative practices (RP) as education in formal and informal contexts of learning that are fertile sites for cultivating peace. Formal practices involve instruction about response to conflict, while informal learning occurs beyond academic lessons. The research incorporated content analysis and a critical examination of the reported practices. The findings illuminate the nature of the practices and sources of power differentials in them. The discussion concludes with recommendations for the use of RP. Five identified opportunities for expansion and refinement of RP as informal and formal education resonate with, and extend, suggestions for this important aspect of peace education.