Hawkins Hollow Nursery Rhymes
Hoppity Bus Stop Bounce
Alice Mole and Callen Crow practice a first-bus morning before any bus arrives. The anchor—“Bounce in place, freeze and see; wait with our grown-up, one-two-three”—turns nervous energy into a safe routine while leaving room for quiet, movement, questions, or watching.
Rhyme
Through the Cobb Farm orchard,
mist was lifting slow.
Alice asked, “When buses come,
how will we know where to go?”
Callen walked beside her
down the Dahl Farm lane.
“First we find our waiting place,
well away from wheels and rain.”
Bounce in place, then freeze and see;
grown-up close—one, two, three.
Feet stay back, eyes look ahead;
wait for what our grown-up says.
At the creek bridge, Alice heard
rumbles far away.
“Is that ours?” she asked. “Not yet.
We can watch and wait today.”
Near the pasture fence they found
their agreed dry waiting square.
Alice chose three quiet breaths;
Callen counted with her there.
When an approved grown-up said,
“Now the bus has stopped for you,”
they waited for the boarding cue—
then walked, not hopped, on through.
Bounce in place, then freeze and see;
grown-up close—one, two, three.
Hum or breathe, ask or wait—
which calm choice feels safe and great?
About This Rhyme
Age lane: R4 — Early Reader Rhyme, approximately ages 5–7
Theme: School Readiness
Skill: Safe waiting
Cast: Alice Mole and Callen Crow
Weather: 60°F, pearly gray clouds, tiny mist early, gentle garden breeze, thoughtful story weather
Route: Cobb Farm orchard → creek bridge → pasture fence, with Dahl Farm lane details
Performance style: Bounce-and-freeze chant with observation, rehearsal, and child-chosen calming actions
Estimated spoken length: About 50–60 seconds
Ways to Join In
- Bounce, tap, sway, or pulse only within the agreed waiting place.
- Freeze with feet or mobility supports stable on “freeze and see.”
- Count three breaths, three taps, or three quiet visual points.
- Choose a calming role: hum, breathe, ask a question, hold an approved grown-up’s hand, stand nearby, sign, point, or watch.
- Board only after the bus has fully stopped and the approved grown-up or driver gives the cue.
- Never run toward the bus, wait in the roadway, cross alone, or play near moving vehicles.