If you have a young child at home who is just starting school, chances are that they are nervous about starting. Kindergartners often have some anxiety about entering a new school and taking on new responsibilities as a big kid. One of those biggest anxieties is often about riding the school bus. They might think, “What if I get on the wrong bus? What if I get bullied on the bus? How do I know what to do?”
To help quell their worries about the bus, consider the following:
Greet the driver. If your bus driver can greet your child every morning, this can help your child establish a positive relationship with the driver, which can make them feel more safe and comfortable. They will also feel more comfortable sharing any problems or issues that arise on the bus.
Share experiences. Share your own school and school bus experiences with your child to help them know what to expect. Encourage older siblings, cousins, or friends to share as well so that your child will have a lot of people to draw from. If those older kids ride the same bus, encourage them to buddy up with your kindergartner to help ease their worries.
Drive the route. Help your child become familiar with their bus route. Drive to school from home and back, and point out familiar landmarks or points of interest so they can recognize their neighborhood.
Be consistent. Get your kids to the bus on time. Consistently drop them off and wait for them at the end of the day. Give clear directions if any day is different from the norm. This consistency will build a routine for your kindergartner and will help relax their worries.
Teach them about safety. Go over good listening and sitting habits with your child so their transportation goes well. Reading a picture book, like Molly Rides the School Bus and My School Bus, can help them visual the habits to follow.
Establish a routine. Fear of the unknown can be the biggest cause of stress for a child. Take away the unknown, and establish a routine to help alleviate some of that stress. Set dinner and bedtimes, develop and stick to a schedule for the week, and set age-appropriate responsibilities.
Provide positive encouragement. Let your kindergartener know that it’s natural to be nervous or anxious when encountering new things. Your kids will gain confidence and learn to problem solve on their own in due time. Be a constant source of encouragement and support for them.
Visit Spanier Bus Service for more resources for helping your child be their very best for the school bus this year!
