Buddy Benches at Montessori

I was doing some research this afternoon related to the Online ECE Workshops that 45 Conversations recently opened registration for when I came across this great initiative — Buddy Benches — at Hammond Elementary School.

Here’s the link to the article that appeared in the Maple Ridge News.

Kids can sit on a Buddy Bench when they are feeling lonely or need a friend to play with or just need a quiet place to be mindful. Sitting on the bench can be a signal for other kids to come and ask them if they want to play. It is a simple idea to eliminate loneliness and foster friendship on the playground as well as to spread the message of inclusion and kindness.

This is such a wonderful idea because it helps children develop empathy, kindness and compassion from the earliest of ages. And the truth is that we need a lot more of all of that in the world.