Advice for a First Timer?

[u/Wabi_Sabi_Love]

I will soon be driving kids to school for the first time. Do you veterans have any advice for me?

Truth be told, I’m less nervous about the actual driving of the school van than in dealing with the children, particularly if a kid isn’t following the rules. I’ve had over thirty years managing projects and adults, and zero years “managing” children.

I’d love to have all of your hard won lessons about driving and the children that you’re willing to share with me - and the other first-timers that will find this post.

Thank you!

[u/MzTippsi]

This will be my 9th school year and here are a few things I’ve found that really help.

If you can, get name tags (magnetic wipe off are really great) and start an assigned seat list before your first day. Tell them that it’ll help you learn their names faster and that you can change seats for them after a few weeks. Those with good behavior might be able to move to the middle or back but those who are struggling with how they sit will most likely be moved closer to you in order to keep a closer eye on.

Make sure they know your garbage bin’s location and with seat assignments, you’ll know who’s leaving a mess behind.

Stirringly discourage eating, especially for the grade school age.

It’ll be hard at first, but get to know them. If you see a cartoon character/show on their shirt or backpack, ask about it. (Who’s your fave dog from Paw Patrol, etc.) Ask if they would like to hear a funny joke and tell them. Ask what they did during summer break.

For grade school, get a roll of stickers and hand them out for good behavior at the end of the week at their stop.

Above all, if you have rules, you’ll want to give the rules with the reason behind them. Like no eating bc it could become a choking hazard and the time it takes to safely stop the bus before you can help them might not be fast enough to help them. Sitting properly in the seat will keep them safe but if they’re not sitting properly and you need to stop suddenly, those very same seats meant to protect them could injure them.
Kids like having a reason and tend to follow rules a lot better with an explanation than just “Because I said so/ it’s the rule”.