More than a few books on parenting and mentorship say that, “Showing up is half the battle.” The simple act of participation by parents, guardians, and mentors encourages kids to explore activities they might have otherwise ignored. But helping your little ones thrive will take a little more than presence. Follow these basic tips for mentorship and find greater satisfaction by helping kids reach their full potential.

Introduction to Mentorship: Guiding Kids Through Education and Skills Programs

The first step to mentoring a child starts with the child. The child's natural interests will help guide them through frustrating moments and successes. But parents and guardians can help a child further develop excitement for extracurricular activities by engaging with their kids when they show interest. To further their involvement and the enrich the experience, mentors will need clear goals, organization, and planning.

Mentoring Step One: Establishing Goals

After identifying a child’s interest in an activity, mentors should work to set attainable goals with that child. Ideally, these goals can be achieved in both the short term and the long run. For example, as part of Lemonade Day, mentors and budding entrepreneurs establish spending limits, develop revenue projections, and even set business hours. Regardless of the activity, kids benefit from even small improvement in new skills. When they see their own success, they are more likely to stick with the activity and are more willing to explore new opportunities.

Mentoring Step Two: Getting Organized

Creating a plan is required to get the most of any activity. With the Lemonade Day experience, it is essential for success. Our entrepreneurs create a business plan, make their own product, and find a location to sell, among other things. Actually executing this process can be challenging and organization makes a difference.

Even with common activities, like learning a musical instrument or playing a sport, organization helps. If parents and mentors don’t plan well enough in advance, after school activities can become overwhelming in the rush between the work commute and making dinner. The more organized mentors are, the higher the chances are of these activities being sustainable in everyday life.

Mentoring Step Three: Working the Plan

After setting goals and organizing efforts, it’s important to follow the plan. In many ways, getting to work can be the easiest part of the process. Staying motivated and being consistent is often a little harder. Kids are often in a rush to get started and see success, whether it’s rushing to opening their lemonade stand without thinking through how to actually run it or picking up an instrument and hoping to play their favorite song perfectly, but that instant success isn't always possible. Parents, guardians, and mentors have the responsibility to use their maturity and experience to guide young people through the plan, always leaving room for creativity, but being confident in the process.

With a bit of organization and a plan of action, a mentor relationship can thrive to achieve almost any goal. Helping another person, especially a child or teenager, learn another language or start a business can be incredibly fulfilling. Following a few basic steps will make the process smoother and more likely to yield positive and possibly life changing results.