Children regard riding the school bus for the first time with such an awe. They find amazement in something that we regard with indifference. However, there is also a side of them that is at first quite terrified.

The first thing a parent needs to do to prepare their child for he school bus is to inculcate good behavior. A parent needs to teach them not to shout (every bus driver's pet peeve), to stay seated (every bus driver's tough spot), and to see the bus as special privilege, that can be taken away at any time due to bad behavior. A parent must explain to the child that the bus is not an adequate place for playing, and that there are other fun things to do on the bus. There is always a list of "Bus Rules" in the bus that the bus driver will go over and explain what is expected.

A school bus is a very good place to socialize, and many great conversations can be brought up.

A parent should also instill into the child that the bus is supposed to be somewhere that they feel safe in, and if not, to immediately tell a teacher, parent, or any other adult.

If there are any neighborhood children the same age as the parent's child, they should sit next to each other, so that they can have some sort of familiarity in such an unfamiliar place.

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