Best practices and tips
Do's and Don'ts of Mentoring
There are many excellent suggestions provided to mentors as they participate in training programs. The Mentoring Handbook, prepared by the Kalamazoo Area Academic Achievement Program, identifies an excellent list of Mentoring Dos and Don'ts for all new and practicing mentors. The suggestions were developed to guide new mentors with basic ideas and parameters to guide their own actions and attitudes about mentoring. They serve as an excellent starting point for introducing the world of mentoring to community volunteers.
Do's
- Do appreciate any growth.
- Do praise the child when deserved.
- Do ask questions and obtain information.
- Do share with the student and do communicate.
- Do remember to be punctual.
- Do remember to be a great role model.
- Do follow the rules of the school and the program.
- Do show attention and concern. Be a friend.
- Do show that you recognize the student's values and lifestyle.
- Do strive for mutual respect.
- Do come prepared.
- Do be honest.
Don'ts
- Don't think you are going to change the whole world overnight.
- Don't judge the child or his family.
- Don't forget that confidence is built on trust.
- Don't forget communication means listening, too.
- Don't be late and disappoint a child that is counting on you.
- Don't exhibit poor language, (written or oral) or dress inappropriately.
- Don't allow students to talk you into things you know are against the rules.
- Don't try to be a parent.
- Don't try to inflict your beliefs or values on a student; rather, demonstrate your values.
- Don't settle for rudeness or foul language.
- Don't come without a plan.
- Don't think a child can't spot insincerity.
