Why does a school bus flash its lights and swing out a stop sign?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does a school bus flash its lights and swing out a stop sign?

The Big Idea

A big yellow school bus stops on the street. Lights flash and a stop sign swings out! What does it all mean?

Amber Lights

Step one: Amber Lights. A school bus uses its lights to warn other drivers that children are getting on or off. Yellow or amber lights flash first, meaning get ready to stop.

Red Lights

Step two: Red Lights. When the bus stops, red lights flash, and a stop sign swings out from the side. Drivers must stop and stay stopped, and in many places they must stop from both directions.

Kids Stay Safe

Step three: Kids Stay Safe. Children wait a few big steps back from the curb. Never walk in front of a bus without the driver seeing you.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Amber means get ready. Red means stop. The arm swings out. Make sure the driver sees you.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Yellow lights mean slow down and get ready to stop. Red lights mean stop and stay stopped. Both directions must stop. Wait big steps back.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Draw a street with a stopped school bus. Add cars stopped on both sides. Draw children waiting a few big steps back from the curb. Label what each light color means. Add the stop sign arm.

Outro

A school bus flashes amber lights to warn drivers, then red lights and a stop arm to make traffic stop in both directions while children get on or off safely. Science is amazing! Keep asking questions! The more you look around, the more wonders you will find, so keep your eyes open! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!