As Mentors, we are curious and concerned if our mentee shares they are having difficulties with their classmates. We know most kids will experience various conflicts with a peer as they develop, and so we encourage them to “take the high road” and “not take it...
The arrival of winter break signals a variety of challenges for many of us – holidays, travel, gathering with family and friends. It also means one major thing every year: calendar chaos! Between our own holiday commitments and our mentees' end of semester activities,...
December 5, 2023 - 11:30am-12:30pmMentoring and Vulnerability Our December training revisits how mentors can use vulnerability to help them develop meaningful relationships with their mentees. We will take a deeper look into the impact vulnerability can have within...
As mentors with school-based programs, we become accustomed to having a variety of breaks in the mentoring schedule like school holidays and summer breaks. As we’ve often learned and discussed in Seedling trainings, it’s essential to re-establish a connection and...
Navigating the holidays in a mentoring relationship can be tricky. As Seedling mentors, we are sensitive to the fact that some households may not celebrate holidays we hold dear. This reality might be due to religious practice, financial distress or family strife. The...
"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood." ...
When I think about the new school year, I can’t help but get excited because it means I will be seeing my Seedling mentee again. I love hearing about her summer and her new classes as we settle back into our routine. I am delighted she lets me be in her life, to be...
Human development is a lifelong process of physical, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional growth and change. As our mentee grows and learns new things each year, it is important for mentors to keep up! Understanding our mentee’s current developmental stage is...
Middle School Shift Is your mentee entering their first year in Middle School this year? Last month, Seedling presented a special training just for you, mentor! The "Middle School Shift” highlights school differences, developmental characteristics of this age group,...
As we begin a new school year, some mentors are looking forward to reconnecting after a long summer apart. Others are looking forward to a new start, a new mentee, some mentoring for the first time, others being rematched. Whatever the case, new beginnings are a...