The Buddy Bench

    The Buddy Bench          

Can you remember a time when you were in school when your best friend who you always played with was away? Or maybe everybody was playing in their own little groups and you just didn't have anyone to play with? Were you new to the school and didn't know anyone? Or maybe you just wanted to play something different than what your friends were playing?  It's not the best feeling, and with kids being so excited to be outside at recess, busy catching up on all the important things kids do and talk about it is easy to miss a fellow student being left out of the joyful chaos. A space that is usually filled with excitement and energy can end up being very lonely for somebody who has nobody.

So what is The Buddy Bench?  

The Buddy Bench is a special place in the schoolyard where a child can go when they want someone to play with or talk to but don't have the courage to approach their peers. If they feel they need a friend they can show this by sitting on the bench. This sends a signal to other students that this student needs someone and encourages other students to eliminate loneliness and fulfill the idea of inclusion. The bench helps children build their social skills and strengthen their self-esteem while giving them opportunities to communicate and even create new friendships! They develop empathy skills, collaboration and cooperation which are all long-lasting life skills that will benefit them in their futures. 

The underlying goal of The Buddy Bench is to promote positive interactions among students and offer opportunities to build positive relationships. It strengthens the sense of community and deepens the feeling of belonging. A Buddy Bench is a definite asset to any playground!

Lisa@NU