Was listening to radio 5 in a daze and one of the guests mentioned this.

At his childs schoool (5-6 years) they had a "lonely bench". If a child is lonely they will go and sit on the bench. The other children will know that they are lonely and go and join them.

I thought not only was it a fantastic idea but also a lovely one.

awww that is sweet, just the right age as well... any older and the kid on the lonely bench would be made fun of for being a billy-no-mates, it's sad but true, kids are cruel.

Originally posted by robbie
Was listening to radio 5 in a daze and one of the guests mentioned this.

At his childs schoool (5-6 years) they had a "lonely bench". If a child is lonely they will go and sit on the bench. The other children will know that they are lonely and go and join them.

I thought not only was it a fantastic idea but also a lovely one.

That's beautiful but....with all this talk of bullying I know that at my old primary school (which was very tame!) kids who would go and sit there would probably get picked on. Sad, isn't it.

We only had a naughty bench when i was that age. I seem to remember spending quite a lot of time on it :suspect:

Most schools adopt a 'lonely bench' these days to combat bullying and unhappiness in schools!

Nobody has enlightened me to what happens if a child is still 'ignored' on the lonely bench...I can only assume it can add to the 'intimadation' if the kid is sat there 'Billy no mates'!!

:confused:

I suspect that at my primary school it could have turned into "fight bench". But then what do you expect when you go to promary school in south Essex?:suspect:

but his thread seems to be assuming that the 'in crowd kids - or any kid' march up to the lonely bench kid and play!

It doesn't happen...just another adult idea that doesn't mix with school life!!

;)

Most classes will have a few people who aren't biased in any way and who get on with everyone. When these children see someone being left out or upset they will take it upon themselves to try and cheer the sad/lonely person up.

I know because our daughter does this all the time.

Originally posted by vidster
Most classes will have a few people who aren't biased in any way and who get on with everyone. When these children see someone being left out or upset they will take it upon themselves to try and cheer the sad/lonely person up.

I know because our daughter does this all the time.

Aw, that's nice - it's good to hear someone doing something positive and helping out, as opposed to being aggresive and 'arsey' so they can attempt to blend in with the ever-increasing bullies/yobs.

:)

Thanks amhudson :thumbsup:

Sounds a brilliant idea to me. May help kids become more responsible and caring towards their peers who, at times, will feel out of it. May help cut down on bullying too.

When i was at school we had the bad boy/girl benches never a lonely one.

But since my daughter started the same school i use to go to i notice now it named the friends bench.And i was bit worried as she starting new school the last term of the big holidays not knowing no one.First day she told me about this bench and she was told to sit at it and with seconds she made a new friend.Now at her old school they had a freind cone that did not work one bit as the lads use to use it for football.But i was amazed how well the kids got on and saw also when ever a child was lonely with no one to play with they had someone come up to them to play.
i think its a great idea if the school goes about it the right way.

Originally posted by vidster
Most classes will have a few people who aren't biased in any way and who get on with everyone. When these children see someone being left out or upset they will take it upon themselves to try and cheer the sad/lonely person up.

I know because our daughter does this all the time.

You should be proud of having such a thoughtful Daughter vidster, and make sure you tell her ;)

Originally posted by vidster
We only had a naughty bench when i was that age. I seem to remember spending quite a lot of time on it :suspect: Yeh same here, I apprentely got sent there several times when I was 4-5 :suspect:

I'm finidng it hard to see the idea of the lonely bench beeing a good one, read both opinions on this thread. It's a brilliant idea on paper me thinks, but won't fit everywhere. I hope they do that in schools where children are educated the way they should be.

Also called Buddy Bench ....... much better name I think.