A buddy bench can help lonely kids make new friend
Many people have heard about a buddy bench. But what is the best way to pick the right bench for this old school networking tool? (Now a phenomenon that has caught on with hundreds of schools across the US.)
If you haven't already heard about the buddy bench, here's the back story. The idea originated in Germany and was first brought to the US by a young man named Christian Bucks.
Apparently the youngster's family once considered moving to Germany. While checking out brochures on elementary schools located there, Christian noticed a bench with strange lettering positioned strategically in a schoolyard. He was curious and inquired about its purpose. That's where he learned about the power of a buddy bench.
Buddy benc
The family didn't relocate after all. But young Christian convinced the principal at his school, Roundtown Elementary School in York, PA, to add this relationship-building program to the recess area. The local news media heard about it and covered the story. Then it went viral. The idea captured the attention of teachers and administrators. Buddy benches were soon adopted by schools across the country. Countless new friendships were made since then.
The concept behind the buddy bench is simple. It's a technique to provide a way for a lonely child to attract new friends. When a school installs the bench, they teach a little lesson to the kids on how it is to be used. Then when a child sits on the bench, it sends out a message to others that essentially says, "Hey, I'm alone right now and would welcome the company of others."
Kids in the playground see this and from their training, they see there is a fellow student in need. They are encouraged to come over and sit on the bench and make a new friend.
Everybody knows some school kids can be brutal. They create cliques. They pick on others. This results in hurt feelings, rejection and even tears.
According to experts and teachers, this one simple concept addresses so many social dynamics. For example, for kids who are new to the school, or perhaps just lonely, or maybe even bullied, there is now a safe place where they can go and let others know they seek companionship. They are "open" to the idea of meeting other kids. They need help.
For children who see someone sitting by themselves on the bench, it's a psychological boost for them to go visit and play with the child. Because they know this is the right thing to do and the type of behavior that is appreciated by teachers and peers.
For teachers and parents, it's a mechanism for students to interact without adults getting involved. Which is the way it should be.
Everyone knows being a lonely kid can be traumatic. A big, active schoolyard can make someone feel very small and isolated. This is one brilliant solution to change that.
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Selecting the right buddy bench
So, when schools decide to add a buddy bench, what should they consider when choosing an actual bench?
There are a few important factors to keep in mind. First of all, it's smart to use a thermoplastic-coated letter or logo bench. These benches are covered with a copolymer-based, thermoplastic powder coating. What that means, is that these sturdy benches are coated with an environmentally-safe plastic that will not splinter, crack, rot, or warp.
If you are going to attract kids to a bench, you want those benches to stay attractive - for years to come, through wind, rain, heat and snow.
Secondly, these benches are easy to clean. So don't defeat the idea of a buddy bench with a bench that is unsightly, dirty, covered in bird poop, etc. With a thermoplastic-coated bench, you can easily wipe away any grime. You know how kids are attracted to shiny objects? Keep that buddy bench shiny and welcoming.
Finally, there's always a bad apple or two in the barrel who wants to spoil the party. The great advantage of a thermoplastic-coated buddy bench is that it is virtually vandal-proof. Bullies may try to scratch or carve something nasty into the seat. But those marks can easily be repaired with a heat gun. Hooligans may attempt to spray paint some unpleasant wording or artwork on the bench. But paint can easily be removed with a standard industrial cleaner.
What about adding the lettering for a "buddy bench?" Well, with a thermoplastic-coated bench, the letters are cut into galvanized steel. Steel made from iron ore. That means those words are not going anywhere. They won't fade. They can't be defaced or changed. This will display a solid message of companionship to kids for years and generations to come.
From all accounts, buddy benches are a huge success. School administrators, teachers and parent-teacher organizations certainly want to make this the centerpiece of any recess area.
In this case, a bench becomes more than just a bench. It becomes a pathway to new friends. Which can lead to potentially long-lasting relationships.
If you ever had a playmate in first grade and later still remained friends into high school and beyond, then you know what we're talking about. Even if you forged a bond for just one grade, it could create a rewarding experience for an entire year.
That friendship can all start with a buddy bench, brought to America by a clever young man with a simple vision to foster camraderie in a schoolyard.