Transitions

As vaccines become more available and the world takes a few shy steps towards normalcy, we can’t help but think: “where do we go from here?” What has this past year meant for our mentees? And how do we move forward? Below are thoughts to consider as you begin thinking of mentoring beyond COVID. It [...]

Your mentee is starting high school, and so are you! To help with this transition and minimize frustration, here are a few things to consider as your mentoring journey continues..... In most high schools, Seedling does not have a designated school contact to help our mentors connect with their mentees. We rely on the kindness [...]

Supporting and guiding a teen as they grow from childhood to adulthood is a complex task that requires patience, a healthy dose of humor, and lots of love.  What was once thought to be caused by angst, rebelliousness, or sex driven hormones, we are now able to better understand the complexities of adolescent behavior and [...]

In a normal school year, transitioning to a new school (such as Elementary to Middle or Middle to High school) can be daunting. COVID has only compounded anxiety about any changes, and that’s before considering things like returning to full classrooms. Many of our students have experienced more moves than usual directly as a result [...]

Give your mentee opportunities to express their feelings about the new school If your mentee isn’t bringing up the topic but you notice they are more distracted or stressed out than usual, initiate a conversation. Acknowledge the change that is coming and ask open-ended questions to see if anything is concerning them. Listen to fears [...]

Thinking about the future and what lies ahead for your match? Your 5th or 8th grade mentee might be too as they will be entering the 6th or 9th grade next fall! The idea might be both exciting and a little scary for each of you. When compared to the structure and smallness of elementary, [...]

For Mentors / Mentees Transitioning to 6th Grade The goal of this activity is to help our mentees discover important information about the middle school they will likely be attending, as well as infuse excitement and a sense of confidence into your 5th grader. Navigate through your mentee’s future middle school’s website to learn about [...]

From Sarah: "Wow, I was so nervous during my first few weeks at middle school. I got so lost on the first day and then I misread my schedule and went to the wrong class! But then I realized that there were a ton of other people just like me who were totally new to [...]

Elementary School Students have one or two teachers that teach every subject. Students typically stay in one or two classrooms all day long. Students have recess. Students attend P.E. in the clothes they wear to school. Students have their own desk to keep their belongings. Students have 30 or so minutes of homework each evening. [...]

We sincerely hope that every mentoring relationship will be continued next school year. Research tells us that match longevity is key to the lasting benefit of the experience. The fact is, however, we cannot know what events in the life of the mentor or the mentee might make it impossible to see one another again. [...]

The new school year is a time of transitions and new beginnings for all of us. For all of our mentors, it will mark a new chapter in your mentoring relationship, for some of you it may be the big jump from elementary to middle school. And some of you may be transitioning to the [...]

General Characteristics Testing limits; a “know-it-all” attitude Vulnerable; emotionally insecure; fear of rejection; mood swings Identification with admired adults Bodies going through physical changes that affect personal appearance Physical Characteristics Very concerned about their appearance; very self conscious about their physical changes May have bad diet and sleep habits and, as a result, low energy [...]

A child’s development is an individual and continual process. The following page outlines typical developmental characteristics of this age group. Keep in mind that some of the youth in the program maybe be “behind” or “advanced” in any of these areas. General Characteristics Eager to learn; easily frustrated; short periods of interest Learn best when [...]

A child’s development is an individual and continual process. The following outlines the typical developmental characteristics of a middle school student. Keep in mind that some of the youth in our program may by “behind” or “advanced” in any of these areas. General Characteristics Testing limits; a “know-it-all” attitude Vulnerable; emotionally insecure; fear of rejection; [...]

A child’s development is an individual and continual process. The following page outlines typical developmental characteristics of this age group. Keep in mind that some of the youth in the program maybe be “behind” or “advanced” in any of these areas. General Characteristics Interested in people; aware of differences; willing to give more to others [...]