There’s a lot on the go when you’re getting ready to go back to school and your child taking the transit shouldn’t be on the worry list.
So, we made it simple. Check out our top three tips to get your child taking the bus like a pro!
Get Back to Bus Safety Basics
Whether it’s the first time or the 100th, taking the bus is an adventure. Let’s set our little travelers up for success by starting with the basics.
As much as we want to put our child in a full padded suit to make sure they’re safe, we think it’s better to empower them with skills that will make solo trips a breeze.
We recommend checking out our step-by-step BusReady video series to help start your bus adventure.
BusReady videos cover everything from trip planning to finding the right seat. There are bonus tips on safety and courtesy. Children will get the basics in less than 5 minutes!
Prepare for Obstacles
We think Scar from Lion King said it best, “Be prepared.”
Make a plan and discuss with your child what they can do when things don’t go as planned and where they can ask for help.
Does your child know important phones numbers and contact information for you or trusted family members or friends?
We have a free printable emergency card that you can fill out with important information and contacts that can be tucked into their backpack.
What happens if they miss their stop? If they feel lost? If they feel unsafe?
Let them know that the bus driver is there to help and is happy to assist them. Remind them that they’re drivers for a reason – they enjoy helping people and getting them to where they want to go safely.
You can also go over our BusReady checklist to make sure you’ve covered everything.
Bonus tip
Paying attention and being kind goes a long way – and the same is true when riding the bus.
Let your child know that they should be paying attention to their surroundings: look at landmarks, listen to stop announcements, and see if other people need to use a courtesy seat. Everyone shares transit and wants to have a good trip – being kind, courteous and respectful makes it fun for everyone!
Practice like No One is Watching
Wait, or is that advice for dancing?
We recommend that you and the whole family practice taking the bus.
Take the bus to the park, playground, recreation center or for a weekend outing. If you make it a fun and relaxed adventure, there is time to look at all the bus features and accessibility, chat with the driver and show your child that taking the bus is fun and easy.
And with some practice, your child will know what to do to get off at bus stops, transfers, getting a seat and exiting the bus.
