Transition from Home to School Bus

Up to 5 minutes before the school bus’ scheduled arrival time at your home have your child choose 1 highly desired item from a transition box to use while waiting for the bus and to take on the bus with him/her while riding to school. The transition box should contain highly motivating items and items with special interest topics or characters. This may include books, comics, MP3 players, iTouch, video games, little figures, and any other transportable item that will fit in a book bag and that will not be easily lost. These items or games/music for iTouch and MP3 player should only be available for limited times (if at all) when off of the bus.

This is a behavior intervention to help children transition from the home environment to getting on the bus for school. Provide access to a “transition box” containing high preference items. These items are available while waiting/riding the school bus.

• Child's Age: 3-5, 6-10, 11-13, 14-17, 18+
• Planning Effort: Low
• Difficulty Level: Easy

Box with several special interest items or character books

1. Get a box and fill it with 4 or 5 items that are of very high interest for your child.

2. Only have these items available when riding the school bus.

3. Before the bus arrives have your child go to the box and choose 1 item to use while waiting for the bus and while riding on the bus.

4. Let your child’s teachers know about the transition items so they may only allow the child to use them on the bus ride home.

5. The transition box may be supported visually if you wish to use a picture or written morning schedule for your child.