Ideas for Mentoring
Sometimes, as a mentor, it is difficult to think of worthwhile activities that you and your mentee can enjoy together. Therefore, we have compiled a list of ideas taken from our own experiences. We hope that you find them helpful as you work to develop your mentoring relationship.
Breaking The Ice:
Group Activities
If you are in touch with others who are involved in similar mentoring relationships, it may be beneficial to involve them in your first few activities. We found that sometimes our mentees were more comfortable and open with us when other children were around.
Bowling
This is really just one example of an activity that stimulates conversation, but allows for some periods of silence as well. Other ideas for games that may become special for your mentee include putt-putt golf, pool, and darts.
Board Games
Board games are once again another sort of conversation distracter. Games like Taboo and Buzzword are particularly useful, because they involve a great deal of verbalization.
Incorporating your Mentee’s Opinion
Clearly, the child’s suggestions should be taken into consideration. It may be difficult for them to open up in the early stages of your relationship, but if they are willing too, it may be important that you pay attention. Remember, they are the ones that should benefit from your activities. Therefore, their needs must be met.
Having Fun:
Group Activities
Our mentees have shared that some of their favorite events happen when other mentoring pairs are involved.
School Visits
In order to visit your mentee at school, you will have to clear it with their teacher. If it is permitted, then think about going over to spend lunch with them or perhaps attend art class. If the school is willing to let you visit, your mentee may begin to see that learning and school can be fun.
Out to Eat
Everyone loves going out to eat, even if it’s as simple as Chinese or Pizza. Use this time to expose your mentee to other cultures. Also, it is important to emphasize manners and appropriate behavior, which includes your mentee learning to order for themself.
Swimming
This is yet another activity that lends itself to both fun and new experiences for your mentee. If you are on a college campus, you likely have access to a pool and, in most cases, can bring your mentee.
Time on Campus
Coming from a residential college, we have found that simply being on campus is often very enjoyable for our mentees. For example, in our student union building there are video games you can play for a quarter. I had never noticed them, but my mentee was thrilled to play them, especially in a busy, college environment.
Their Turf
It’s important to spend time on your mentee’s turf. This way, the mentee is able to contribute something to the relationship. We have found that the kids are often eager to show off their dogs, their video games, and their house. Use caution with this though because the home situation of some children leads them to value time away from home. They may not want to be in that environment and you must remain sensitive to this.
Reading
Although this clearly is a very basic recommendation, reading skills are crucial for lifelong learning. Depending on the age of your mentee and their reading ability, they may be apprehensive to work with you. If so, we have found it useful to begin with something non-school related (i.e. the sports page for basketball fans). When necessary, take turns reading and remain positive. Make reading together a habit.
Exposure to New Environments
Similar to our recommendation of incorporating campus life, our mentees most often showed interest in experiencing new things. For example, although most children are initially nervous, they normally enjoy sporting events or outings particularly related to their interest. It is key that they receive appropriate preparation and that they are comfortable (as well as their parents) with the activity. If they are allowed to have an active role in the planning, such as researching online, they will likely become even more excited.
The Arts
Even if you are not particularly involved in the arts, it is important to expose your mentee to them. If funds are tight, you may want to consider taking them to a college play or concert that are normally much cheaper. Also, within our project, we found that the kids enjoyed photography, as well as any sort of arts and crafts activity.
Setting Goals
During our time as mentors, our advisors were adamant that we emphasize the importance of goals in our conversations with our mentees. The ability to set goals is the first step to children realizing what sort of potential they have. Try to model this behavior by helping setting goals for things the two of you hope to accomplish together, as well as sharing your personal