Adapting to the School Bus: 4 Tips for You and Your Child

Adapting to the School Bus: 4 Tips for You and Your Child


For some children, riding the school bus can be a new and exciting next step, but for others, it may cause anxiousness and worrying. Even if your child feels ready for the bus, there may be occasions where your child feels uncomfortable and a bit scared once the time actually comes. Here are some tips that can help your child adapt to the school bus and overcome their fears.

 

Review the Rules

 

Before sending your child off on the school bus for the first time, it’s important to go over all of the safety procedures and typical rules when in a moving vehicle. This will help your child be more aware of what will be expected of them while on the bus. Children tend to respond well to routines so having an idea of the general routine and bus procedures might help them feel more confident.

 

Find a Bus Buddy

 

Your child could be particularly anxious about the bus simply because they don’t know anyone that is going to be on it. Something that could help them feel more confident is having a bus buddy. Encourage your child to become friends with his or her peers who ride the same bus. It’s also a good idea to have more than one bus buddy just in case one friend is not at school one day. This will allow your child to become more comfortable with riding the bus if they have someone that they enjoy sitting with or near.

 

Meet the Bus Driver

 

Whether your school has a formal meeting for new students riding the bus or not, it is a good idea for both you and your child to meet the bus driver. This will help everyone get to know each other better. It could also make your child feel more comfortable speaking up on the bus if they have any uncertain questions. It’s important that your child feels like he or she can talk to an adult if needed.

 

Provide Entertainment

 

If your child is shy or even has trouble sitting still for longer periods of time, a book, small toy or a game might be a good idea. Make sure you review the policy on what toys are allowed on the bus and in school. This can also spark conversation between your child and their bus buddy. You’ll want to write your child’s name on any toys they bring with them because it is easy for things to get lost on the bus or in school.

 

Daycare, Preschool, Childcare Center in Oswego County and Syracuse NY Area

 

Little Lukes is a leading Syracuse and Oswego County education provider with five inclusion preschool locations. The early education program includes credentialed and caring staff that specializes in comprehensive infant, toddler and pre-kindergarten development. Additional services include pediatric speech therapy, pediatric physical therapy and pediatric occupational therapy. Preschool locations include Dewitt (East Syracuse), Baldwinsville (Radisson), Oswego, Fulton, and Pulaski.

 

For information about Little Lukes, please contact us at https://www.littlelukes.com/contact.html