School Bus Safety Tips | What First Timers Should Know

After my scare during the first week of school, I really thought hard about bus safety. I would never ever want any child or parent to experience what we went through, which is why I cam up with my top 7 school bus safety tips for kids riding for the first time. Drill this into your children. Riding the bus is a scary step for both child and parent, especially when this is your child’s first real taste of independence from mommy and daddy. Let’s keep those kids safe and not end up like…well, us.

1. Do NOT Get Off The Bus If There’s No One To Get You

This is my single-handed most important tip that I hope you all take away from this post. Make sure that your little one stays on the bus if they cannot see you at the bus stop. This keeps them from wandering the streets (I know, scary thought!), stranger danger, and let’s them be where they are safe until the bus driver or school can contact an adult.

2. Their Address & What Their House Looks Like

May not have occurred to you, but have your kid stand with you outside of your house. Have them describe to your what your house looks like and why it’s different from your neighbors’. Then practice memorizing your address. Even if they don’t quite “get” what their address means, they should be able to tell someone what it is when asked.

3. Phone # of a Parent & How to Use a Phone

Pretty obvious, but so important. I actually have a flashcard at home that we use to help my on learn mommy and daddy’s phone number. I want him to get in the habit of rattling it off to me

4. Their Bus (# or animal, etc.) and Their Bus Driver

Intro your child to their bus driver. Let your child know where the sign is going to be with their designated color/number/animal.

5. Kids On Their Bus/At Their Stop

Have your child get familiar with faces on their bus. This is great in case there’s a substitute driver

6. How To Get To And From Class From Their Bus

Something that is often overlooked. Your child will actually not be entering their class from the front of the school but a completely different area. If you can, take them from the bus stop to their classroom and get them used to the route.

7. Go Potty Before Getting On The Bus

We’ve had a few close calls, so make sure that your child knows to go potty BEFORE stepping onto the bus. In case there’s crazy traffic, accident, etc. you don’t want your child to be the one peeing on their bus seat!

Stranger safety is also really really really important, but I wanted to stress just the bus portion for today. Bus safety has become a whole new ball game for me since my Scariest 45 Minutes of My Life. Please, please, please share with all parents with new bus riders and those that will be entering school soon. Let’s keep those kids safe!

Be sure to follow Saving Said Simply for more of my mommy brain thoughts.