A bench in the playground at Giant’s Head School has been set up for children looking for playmates during recess.
The Buddy Bench, an initiative to promote healthy peer relations among students, was introduced last week.
Laura Fleming, a teacher at the school, promoted the idea for the bench after she saw a video about the concept.
Children who do not have anyone to play with at recess can sit on the bench and wait until another student invites them to join in an activity.
Fleming said the bench is intended to teach students to ensure all students are included in playground activities.
Since the bench was set up, Darcy Mullen, principal of the elementary school said it is often empty, since students at the school tend to include others in their activities.
Coun. Toni Boot supported the bench concept.
“When I grew up in Summerland, I would have loved a Buddy Bench,” she said.
“There were lots of times when I had nobody to play with.”
Organizers and school officials hope students will use the bench occasionally, not as a daily way to find playmates.