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For lots of children, catching the bus too and from school is a normal, daily occurrence, but for those who have never done it before, it can be daunting. With this in mind, if your child is going to be travelling via the school bus, you might want to help prepare them so that they feel less anxious. It’s great to give children a sense of independence as they get older but being prepared is key to helping both yourself and your child feel more comfortable. Read on for some tips from an independent school in Hertfordshire.
Talk About It
If your child is worried about catching the bus, talking to them about it might help settle their nerves. It may seem like a boring conversation, but it will give you the opportunity to answer any questions they may have and talk about some rules you’d like them to follow. For example, you may want to talk to them about basic safety, like remaining seated when the bus is moving or holding onto a bar if no seats are available. You should also remind them that they should avoid talking to strangers.
Practise
Like anything, practise makes perfect, so it might be worth catching the bus together a few times before your child has to do it alone. More specifically, you should practice the particular route that they will be taking too and from school. This will help show them that there’s nothing to be scared of and will familiarise them with what they have to do. For instance, they will know exactly where the bus stops are at each end, which number bus they need to hop on, and they will also learn when to press the button to stop the bus, or how to pay.
Plan for Problems
When talking to your child about the bus and showing them what to do, it’s also a good idea to plan for problems. Explain to them what they should do in the event that the bus doesn’t show up or drives straight past, what to do if they lose their bus pass or fare, and who to call if anything like this were to happen.
Boost their Confidence
Most importantly, the best thing you can do for your child when they are preparing for a daunting new experience is to help them feel confident. Equip them with the necessary skills required to solve certain problems so that they don’t end up in a panic.