The Director of Safe Kids Wyoming is advising parents of young children attending school for the first time to rehearse the route their children will be taking.

Stephanie Heitsch says it's important to understand young children can get confused or lost in the excitement of the first day of school, especially if it is a brand new experience.

She says if the children are walking a short distance to school or to catch a bus, it's a good idea to walk the route with them before school starts.

Heitsch says the practice walk can also be a good time to emphasize general safety rules, such as watching for traffic, using crosswalks where they are available and waiting for the "walk" sign at stoplights.

Heitsch also advises parents to have their kids ride a school bus if one is available as opposed to driving them to school in a family vehicle, because research shows school buses are thirteen times safer than private vehicles.

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