US school introduces ‘Buddy Bench’ to help make playground more inclusive for shy students

A school in the US has launched a new program to help students make friends, creating a special bench where classmates can sit if they feel left out on the playground.

McIntyre Elementary School, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, wanted to make lunch time easier and more inclusive for children who found it difficult to make friends, the Huffington Post reports.

Children who want to be included in games but are too shy to ask can sit on the Buddy Bench – a safe place where kids can begin talking to one another.

“The bench is a powerful anti-bullying tool," school counsellor Regina Farrell said.

“It builds kids’ self-esteem to ask others to play with them.

“Likewise, reaching out to a peer who is feeling left out is significant as well."

Ms Farrell said the bench helps to promote a safer, more respectful environment in the playground for children.

“The school community, students, parents, and faculty understand that the Buddy Bench is a tool for kids to use to advocate for themselves,” she said.

The Buddy Bench concept was created by students in a workshop last year conducted by Ms Farrell.

Ms Farrell said it had already made the playground a more inclusive environment since it was installed on November 16.

“Each day, I go to recess and see the Buddy Bench working,” she said.

“The lessons they are learning now will benefit them their entire lives. It is simply a beautiful example of kids wanting to be kind and continue to be kind every day.”