Top Tips for Preparing Your Child for the School Bus

Riding the school bus is another big step that your child will take. In preparation, it’s a good idea to run through what to expect, safety rules and the route they will need to take to get to school. A prep school in London has shared this helpful list of top tips to prepare your child for the school bus.

Learning About the Geography of The Local Area

Unlike the US and a few selective schools in the UK, there are no school buses to drop children directly to and from school. Instead, children must find their own means of transport such as a bus run by a public transport operator. To help your child with their transition it’s a good idea to teach them about the geography of your local area in the case that they get lost. This might involve highlighting the names of the towns or streets that their bus will run through and the name of the bus route that they will need.

Practice Runs

A practice run will help your child get used to riding the bus and feel confident as they get used to the process and the route. Ideally, for the first few days, try to go with your child to do this. During this time, you can teach your child how to read the bus timetable and which bus stop to wait at. Many bus providers also have their very own app which clearly displays how long a bus will take to arrive and when the next will be due. This can make figuring out bus times a little easier and less daunting.

Finding a Buddy

Speaking to other parents at school can help you to find out if any other children travel to school by bus. This can give your child a buddy to ride the bus with and can make the process less stressful for them.

Stranger Danger

To help your child stay safe, you can teach them about stranger danger and what to do if a stranger ever approaches them or they feel unsafe. Let them know that they can report anything that makes them feel unsafe to the driver.

Risk Management

With any moving vehicle, it is important to follow precautions to stay safe. Where possible, your child should not stand or move around on the bus while it is moving. They should also hold on to the handles and walk slowly if climbing down the stairs.