If your child will soon be taking the bus to school, it is important to teach them what to expect and how to stay safe. Knowing what to expect will help to ease their nerves and make them feel more confident about travelling without you.
Here are some great tips from an independent school in Hertfordshire to help your child prepare for taking the school bus…
Discuss safety rules
Before your child begins taking the school bus, it is vital to discuss safety rules with your child. Explain the importance of wearing a seatbelt, staying seated when the vehicle is moving and talking quietly with friends. It is also important that your child is aware of ‘stranger danger’ and knows road safety rules, especially if they will be making their own way home from the bus stop.
Visit the bus stop
Visiting the bus stop before they begin their new routine will help your child to feel more comfortable. Watching other children using the school bus can help to settle your child’s nerves (and possibly your own too). Visiting the bus stop will also ensure that you are familiar with the route and the time it takes to get there. You don’t want them to miss the bus!
Pick a travel buddy
Having a friend on the bus can also help your child to feel more relaxed. Speak to the teacher and see if they have organised a ‘travel buddy’ system. You may be able to find out in advance who they will be partnered with, or arrange for your child to sit with a particular friend if they are feeling anxious.
If your child seems worried or upset about travelling to school without you, it is important to discuss their concerns and reassure them. Let them know that there will always be an adult on board and to alert the driver if they have any safety concerns.
