October is Stop Bullying Month

October is stop bullying month and adults are coming up with all types of programs to stop bullying. However, a 10 year old boy came up with a very simple idea that works.

Originally he thought of the idea because he would be moving to a new school and was worried about feeling lonely. He saw an idea that another school was using and decided it would work for his school.

His idea is a “”buddy bench.” Anything anyone was feeling lonely, sad whatever they could sit on the buddy bench and another kid would come over to see how they could help.

Obviously, it requires the school to get involved and educate their students about compassion and empathy. These lessons also teach that bullying is wrong and it is wrong to make someone feel sad or lonely.

I think the idea is fantastic. It teaches compassion and empathy and it teaches that teasing and put downs are mean and wrong. It also teaches boys that it is alright to reach out for help and say I am lonely and I need some emotional support. This is something boys rarely do and what the documentary “”The Mask You Live In’” is all about. So the good thing about the idea is it handles two problems with a simple solution.

The concept has been used at other schools and it works. The boy’s school made a video about the buddy bench. Please watch this video and encourage your children’s school to try a buddy bench to help stop bullying.

http://youtu.be/K9hOpNKBPkU

Dr Michael Rubino has over 18 years experience working with children, teens and schools. He is also considered an expert in this area. For more information about Dr Rubino’s work or private practice visit his website at www.rcs-ca.com