Flin Flon and Creighton school administrators are open to a simple yet innovative concept to promote inclusion on the playground.
A “buddy bench” is a specially marked bench placed in a schoolyard. Children who are looking for recess playmates sit on the bench to indicate they would like someone to ask them to play.
Buddy benches have reportedly long been used in Europe and are fast spreading across the US, but the concept is newer to Canada. No local schools have such a bench.
“It sounds like a good idea that we would consider adding to our schools,” says Blaine Veitch, superintendent of the Flin Flon School Division, when asked for his thoughts.
Across the border, Creighton Community School principal Stacy Lair is also open to the idea but sees some potential challenges.
“While it is not the only answer to solving exclusion at recess, I think it could be a great tool for students to use,” says Lair. “While the intent is good, I have some concerns. It may increase the volubility of a student who uses the bench often, or for those who do not perceive the response of others to be fast enough. I think most of this could be solved with conversations with students about empathy and compassion. The bench would also be a great monitoring tool for teachers to see who feels alone and perhaps needs some help with their peer relationships.”
Winnipeg’s Gray Academy of Jewish Education made headlines earlier this month when it unveiled a rainbow-painted buddy bench.
“I think it’s a very cool idea and I think it’ll really help,” Nesya Greazes, a Grade 4 student, told CTV Winnipeg.
Gray Academy administrators told CTV they hope the bench will foster empathy and inclusiveness, and remind children to be kind to each other.
