Story: Childhood

In 2006 Redoubt North Primary School in Manukau was gifted a 'friendship seat' by the children's charity Variety. Children who felt lonely sat on the seat, which was a non-verbal way of telling other children and teachers that they needed someone to be nice to them. Some commentators said that children who sat on the seat might be targeted by bullies, but others thought it could be a way of teaching empathy and kindness, which would reduce bullying.