Recess is supposed to be fun, but sometimes, some kids can feel left out, lonely or anxious about joining a big group.
An icebreaker would be nice.
That's why a small bench could have a big impact on recess at the St. Jude's Elementary School playground in Elyria.
What's a Buddy Bench? Fourth grader Nick Phillips explained.
"The buddy bench is like if someone doesn't have anyone to play with they come and sit down. Someone will come and ask them if they want to play. Someone who couldn't get an invitation to play," Phillips said.
"Kids may not feel comfortable joining a group, the buddy bench gives them an opportunity to to let people know they want to join a group, but they don't know how," said Terry Ziegelmeyer with St. Jude's Elementary School.
Several schools in Elyria and Avon Lake also have Buddy Benches.
So does Lakewood Catholic Academy.
The kids at Saint Jude's also got "Be A Buddy" wristbands.
Students kindergarten through eighth grade at Saint Jude's were taught about how the buddy bench works.
Thursday was the first day for the buddy bench at Saint Jude's.
