If your children have never travelled to school without you, they might start to feel a little apprehensive when the time comes to catch the school bus. This is perfectly normal and no cause for concern, in fact, you might be feeling a little worried too. Here are some tips to help prepare both you and your youngster from a pre-school in Oxford. 

Prepare In Advance

Where your kids are concerned, it’s important to always plan ahead. That way, nothing comes as too much of a shock to them and they can feel more in control. With regards to catching the school bus, it would be wise to get them used to buses as much as possible. Show them how to ask the driver for a ticket and where the buttons are to stop the bus when you’re close to your destination. You could also get some books about getting the bus that you can read at home.  

Essentially, the more familiar everything feels to your child, the more confident they will feel about the situation. They might have some questions, which you should be readily available to answer so that they don’t worry unnecessarily.  

Reassure Them

Once your child does start to get the bus, it’s important to establish a routine that they can stick to. For instance, if you are meeting them at the bus stop, make sure you are on time or someone else is there to meet them so that they don’t feel panicked. Knowing that you or someone else they trust is waiting for them at the end of the journey will help ease their nerves. If they have an older sibling or someone else who could become their ‘bus buddy’ that would also be a great option to help them feel safe.  

Make sure your child knows what to do in possible uncomfortable situations, like a stranger talking to them or another kids being mean. To be on the safe side, it’s worth going over some coping techniques and general house rules.