The mother, who does not want to be named, said her daughter was walking toward Pinjarra Primary School about 7.45am when a man appeared from the bushes near the pathway leading from Peel Street.
She said her startled daughter immediately ran but the man tried to grab her arm.
The girl slapped him and ran to school.
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READ NOWThe man is believed to have yelled after her before fleeing in a white van.
The mother said her daughter was scared during the incident.
‘She has been quite good since, but is shaken up,’ she said.
She was thankful her daughter remained unhurt but urged parents to take note of the incident.
‘My daughter wanted to go to school early and we let her walk by herself,’ she said.
‘It is a lesson to always be vigilant and careful. I am so relieved she is with me.’
Pinjarra detectives are investigating the incident.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.