What is appropriate discipline on the bus?
There are basic rules for the bus just as there are rules for the classroom. Teach children underlying principles such as respect for their own well being and treating others with kindness. “We don’t hurt each other” and “We put things back where we found them” are starters. One rule for the bus is, “We always do what the bus driver says”, as if (s)he were the captain of the ship. Young children need reminders since they are too young to have internalized the rules. They remember better if they can interpret and state the rules in their own language. The rules (no more than 2-3) need to be developed collaboratively between the classroom and bus staff with input from parents. Bus rules need to be consistent with the guidance and discipline policies of the program. If program policy permits excluding children from the group with an imposed “time out” or waiting to address behaviors until arrival at home or at the center, then these techniques will not work on the bus. More developmentall
