Anytime a child is feeling lonely or out of place, he or she can sit on the Buddy Bench. That simple action signifies to others on the playground that the student is looking for a friend. Other children can then join their classmates on the bench and start talking to each other about anything. This can ultimately lead to students joining in on a game or common interests, which fosters inclusion and helps everyone build their circle of friends. It's also a great way to break the ice, tear down isolation walls, and start bridging friendships.