Creating and sustaining relational skills is a vital developmental step for children that can be taught through modeling a quality relationship. Having a one-on-one relationship with a mentor gives children a valuable opportunity to work on their relational skills.
Relational Benefits Nurtured in Mentoring
Conversations and consistency are two important relationship skills nurtured in a mentoring setting.
Mentoring Supports Conversation Skills
A mentoring relationship creates a safe space for the student to work on their conversation skills. By talking about their weekends or their favorite foods, children learn how to hold a conversation, answer questions, and demonstrate care about the other person in the relationship.
In our blog post, “Beyond Conversations: How Mentoring Strengthens Skills,” we learn how this hour with a child each week helps them grow in their conversation skills. From taking turns and making eye contact to introducing themselves and describing their feelings, children boost their conversation skills during their mentoring time.
Mentoring Displays Consistency
As the popular saying goes, “Consistency is the key to success.” In the case of mentoring, the same is also true. Every child can benefit from another consistent adult in their life to walk with them on their journey.
Children pick up on behaviors quickly, so a mentor showing up for a child teaches that student how to be consistent and show up for others. When their mentor visits them weekly, students can elevate this relational skill.
Mentoring is all about consistency, showing up for a child day in and day out. No matter the challenge, a mentor encourages and walks alongside their student. These relationships foster consistency by continuously relaying it to the child each and every week.
“We love seeing the mentors come into our school to meet with our students. Their consistency and encouragement are transforming our students.” - Kids Hope USA principal
The National Mentoring Resource Center states, “…mentoring programs in schools have shown to be a cost-efficient way of increasing the positive relationships students have in their lives, while also having the potential to boost factors that can lead to educational success.”
Importance of Relational Skills
A mentor guides a student through a relationship. They model a consistent friend that will be there for them through all life’s ups and downs. This experience provides a significant relational benefit for students.
Kids Hope USA is a proven school-based mentoring program that connects community-focused churches with students in the local elementary school. Mentors show up for students as an additional consistent, caring adult in their lives as they walk together in life-changing relationships.
Learn more about being a mentor at Kids Hope USA by visiting our program page!