8 PROVEN STRATEGIES FOR BETTER BUS BEHAVIOR

The school day doesn’t start or end in the classroom, and for many students, the bus ride can be one of the toughest parts. That’s why I’m excited to welcome Abby Moehringer from Mrs. Moe’s Modifications to share simple, preventative strategies to support positive behavior on the bus. Whether you’re a bus driver, teacher, or administrator, these tips are practical, easy to implement, and designed to make bus rides smoother and safer for everyone.

Managing student behavior on the bus can be one of the toughest parts of the school day. Unlike in the classroom, you have limited space, visibility, and time to intervene when issues arise. That’s why preventative strategies are essential when it comes to student safety. The best approach is to prevent problems before they start, which is much easier—and safer—when you’re focused on driving a bus.

In this post, we’ll explore simple, effective techniques that help create a positive environment on the bus. From setting clear expectations to using fun games and rewards, these strategies are designed to make your bus rides smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. Whether you are a school bus driver, a school administrator, or a classroom teacher you’ll be able to take these actionable strategies to help your school community!

1. Greet Students Every Day, By Name

Now this may seem simple, but it is HUGE. There is such a difference in a kid’s day when they get on the bus and have a warm, smiling face greeted with their name as compared to getting on a bus, barely a hello and no eye contact. Trust me, kids will listen, respect, and be all around safer on the bus with this simple start.

Building a relationship with students starts with a simple greeting. Addressing bus riders by name as they board the bus creates a sense of belonging and respect. It shows that you see them as individuals, which can significantly improve their behavior and engagement. A friendly greeting sets a positive tone for the bus ride, making students feel valued and more likely to follow expectations. This small, consistent action also helps you form a connection with each student, which is key to fostering better behavior overall.

2. Get to Know the Students

Beyond greeting them, make the effort to get to know your students. Understand their interests, what excites them, and what challenges they may be facing. For instance, knowing that one student loves dinosaurs or another struggles with anxiety can help you tailor your interactions with them. When students feel understood, they’re more likely to be cooperative and respectful. This also helps you identify any behavioral triggers and address them proactively.

If you see kiddos getting on the bus with musical instruments- you can ask what instrument they play. Maybe they get on with a sports bag, ask how their team is this year. These simple questions again build that relationship. Kids are going to listen to you more if you have that connection with them. They know you care about them and are going to listen when you tell them to stop doing something.

3. Bus Stop Countdown Visual

Using a visual countdown can help students better manage their transitions. Create a simple visual that counts down the number of stops until theirs. This can ease anxiety and prevent the constant “Are we there yet?” questions, especially for younger students or those with autism. When at the end of the day you and the students just want to get home- this can help alleviate the stress. It can hopefully even lead to less disciplinary action!

A visual countdown provides a clear sense of when it’s their turn to get off, reducing confusion and potential meltdowns. You could also incorporate technology here, such as using a timer or simple printed visuals, to keep students engaged while managing expectations.

It could even be a whiteboard at the front of the bus that you erase the number and rewrite it. I think about the times I ride the subway. I am constantly looking at the map or the list of stops counting how many I have until I can get off. Now I am an adult who has good coping skills, but I STILL need this visual and it makes me feel much calmer. I know how much longer there is and having that countdown puts a finite amount of time I have left on the subway.

4. Explicitly Teach Expectations

Students need to know what’s expected of them on the bus, just as they do in the classroom. At the start of the year, take the time to teach bus behavior expectations explicitly. If you want to hold students to a specific type of positive behavior, you need to teach them what it is. This could include different safety procedures like sitting properly, keeping hands in their own personal space, keeping a quieter noise level, and staying seated until the bus comes to a complete stop. Use a combination of verbal instructions, role-playing, and visual supports to help reinforce these expectations. Hopefully your school district makes time each and every year for this. If they don’t ask and see what they say!

Refresh these lessons throughout the year, especially after long breaks or when behavior starts slipping. Visual reminders, such as posters on the bus, can keep these expectations fresh in students’ minds. You can also grab this digital download to where you can grab expectations, contingency maps for teaching good behavior and other visual supports for bus drivers and teachers to use.

5. Bus Bucks: Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement can make a huge difference in behavior management. Introduce a system of “Bus Bucks” where students earn rewards for following bus expectations. The key here is consistency—give out Bus Bucks daily (which can be something simple like a raffle ticket). You can have the students write their names on them and place the Bus Bucks into a bin, and at the end of the week, you pull a bus buck from the bin and students have a chance to win a prize. You can make this your own- give them out to one student a day or to several. (I suggest handing out several because then you can praise more kids, which is just going to help you in the long run!) By having them just put them in a bin, it is easy to manage and you just have to pick one name at the end of the week (or more if you want!)

Alternatively, allow students to save up their Bus Bucks and redeem them for rewards. This will be a bit more work, but you can give different costs (number of bus bucks) so students have to save up if they really want a reward!

These rewards can be simple, such as allowing them to switch seats for a day, picking the music for the ride, or even a small item from a treasure box. You could also offer fun options of special bus privileges like allowing gum on the bus for one ride. The involvement of parents or school staff in recognizing these rewards can further reinforce positive behavior and give students extra motivation. If you include the building principal, they can be involved with handing out more positive praise as well- which can be a big deal for many students!

The back of the bus is often where lots of bad behavior happens. But what if you flip the script and allow those that can show you they can follow all of the school bus rules to sit back there? Makes students motivated to behave and prevents inappropriate behavior from happening way in the back. 

6. Respond, Don’t React

When dealing with misbehavior, it’s crucial to remain calm. Reacting with frustration or anger can escalate the situation. Instead, respond thoughtfully. For example, if a student is being disruptive, use a calm tone to remind them of the bus expectations. If needed, implement logical consequences, such as having them move seats. By responding rather than reacting, you model appropriate behavior and help de-escalate tense situations. Staying composed also gives you the opportunity to turn a potential conflict into a teaching moment.

When you a driving the bus, you are responsible for so many children at once and watching the road- no easy feat! If you have some concerning behaviors talk with your team (the admin and if you have a bus attendant) about what to do when you are out on the road. Do you turn around and go back to the transportation department for major offenses? Or do you finish the run and talk with the students and school administration the next day? Just having these conversations proactively can help you respond instead of react.

7. Keep Students Engaged

Idle time on the bus can lead to mischief, so keep students engaged during the ride. One fun way is to ask lighthearted, engaging questions like, “Would you rather jump into a pool of jello or whipped cream?”  Tell students they have 2 minutes to chat with their seat partner. Then ask another! This not only sparks conversation but also builds community among students. 

You could also create a bus playlist by allowing students to submit their favorite songs. Playing their selections (as long as they are appropriate) gives them a sense of ownership and keeps them excited for each ride. Let’s be honest- when students are engaged in appropriate behavior like talking to the person next to them or singing along to the radio, they are less likely to engage in disruptive behavior.

8. Good Behavior Game

Turn bus rides into a team effort by implementing the Good Behavior Game. Split students into teams (think each side of the bus is a team) and allow them to earn points for good behavior, such as staying seated, using kind words, or following the driver’s instructions. The team with the most points at the end of the week wins a small prize or extra privilege.

To learn more about the Good Behavior Game check out this blog post for more details on how to use this strategy to change students’ behavior.

Managing behavior on school buses doesn’t have to be overwhelming or chaotic. By focusing on preventative strategies, you can create a positive and structured environment that makes the bus ride safer and more enjoyable for everyone. Whether it’s through building relationships, setting clear expectations, or using creative rewards like Bus Bucks, these strategies will help you prevent problems before they escalate. These tips can even work on bus rides for field trips when you may have a longer ride!

Remember, consistency is key. When students know what’s expected and are motivated by positive reinforcement, they’re more likely to stay on track. With the right tools and mindset, you’ll not only improve behavior but also make bus rides a time students look forward to. Safe travels!