getting kindergartener to sit down on the bus

[jaxxes]

DS has trouble with the bus ride, he keeps standing up and doesn't really listen to verbal queues from the driver to sit down. Today the driver said he stood for the whole ride and didn't listen at all when asked to sit down.
I'm thinking of sending an activity on the bus that might hold his attention but that might cause other problems. Anyone have any ideas for activities or is he just too young to handle a bus ride (it's about 30 minutes).

2 posts in one evening, can you tell what kind of day we had?

[ccom5100]

A 30-minute bus ride is long for any kid, and way long for a kindergartner. If it is at all possible to take him to school yourself, I would do that. Otherwise, an activity is a good idea. Can't think of one to suggest without knowing the child and what he is interested in.

[SquarePeg]

Doesn´t the bus have seatbelts? I have to say it´s really dangerous for him and a distraction to the driver. Does he have a nintendo or something like that. How is he in the car with a seatbelt, does he stay seated?

[sarahsweets]

Is there am aide on the bus ? They driver needs to concentrate so maybe another wet or eyes would help. I agree with ccom though it might be better to drive him yourself until he is a little older.

[jaxxes]

the bus does not have seat belts and no aide. There are a lot of kids on the bus and DS sits right behind the driver.

He does perfectly fine wearing a seatbelt in the car and that's actually how we used to get him to go to sleep when desperate.

He does have a nintendo DS and we use it judiciously because he gets so fixated on the game he doesn't blink, let alone respond to anyone around him and really has a hard time discontinuing the game when it's time. I'm going to contact his teacher to see if I can get her help with this.

Thanks!

[happytexas]

Originally Posted by jaxxes

He does perfectly fine wearing a seatbelt in the car and that's actually how we used to get him to go to sleep when desperate.

He does have a nintendo DS and we use it judiciously because he gets so fixated on the game he doesn't blink, let alone respond to anyone around him and really has a hard time discontinuing the game when it's time. I'm going to contact his teacher to see if I can get her help with this.

Thanks!

My ds couldn't handle the bus in K; now he attends a charter and dh drops him off on the way to work. If taking the bus is your ds' only option then you could request a bus that has aides and seat belts (the mini/special needs bus) or that an aide be assigned to his bus. I don't know if either can be accomplished without an IEP.

[Amtram]

Does it help if you explain to him why he needs to sit down? If you go into detail about how distracting the bus driver could cause an accident, and standing up would make it even worse for him. . .it depends on if there's a line where he gets panicky instead of understanding actions and consequences.

[jaxxes]

He understands why he needs to sit, I think he just gets excited with all the sounds on the bus and can't see over the seats unless he stands up. We talk about it and remind him daily and right before he gets on the bus. Sometimes he does okay and other days notsomuch.

Unfortunately, my son gets bussed out of the district and so there is only one bus that takes kids to the schools outside of the district. He does not have an IEP anymore and I don't know if we could even request an eval for a bus aide? I think we are going to have to wind up driving him as much as it is possible, I've already reduced my hours at work to try to make some things with school easier so every day isn't an option. I'm afraid he's going to lose bus priveleges and then we'll really be stuck!