Developmental Stages of Young People: Part Two

DECISION MAKING FOR THE SHORT TERM AND THE FUTURE

Adolescents typically start to understand the consequences of different actions by about age 13 or 14. At this age they also are increasingly considering who they are in the world. As they age, adolescents mature in their ability to think through problems on their own. By the time people are close to 17 or 18 years old, they are both excited and scared to be on their own. Below are some tips for youth mentee who have a mentor through a mentoring program, but they may be useful for anyone who interacts with youth.

Tips for interacting with your mentee:

·        Encourage her to take responsibility for her actions.

·        Help him make good choices, like getting his homework done before you do a fun activity together.

·        Suggest that your mentee break planning and decision making down into a series of steps.

·        Ask questions that highlight the positive results of good decisions and the unpleasant consequences of poor planning.

·        Listen carefully without criticizing.

·        Listen to you Mentee’s thoughts about the future.

·        Support and respect his decisions.

·        Offer ideas about what you think she might like to do or be good at.

·        Find other mentors who can help direct his choices.

·        Share your own excitement about the world and its possibilities.

*Look for part three next week.

Reprinted with permission from Search Institute®.  From Mentoring for Meaningful Results: Asset-Building Tips, Tools, and Activities for Youth and Adults. Copyright © 2008 Search Institute, Minneapolis, MN; 800-888-7828; www.search-institute.org. All rights reserved.

For more information on Kids 'n Kinship youth mentoring program in Dakota County, go to www.kidsnkinship.org.  Or call 651-686-0990 to sign up for our next information session Tuesday February 4, 6:00-6:45 pm at Wescott Library in Eagan (1340 Wescott Rd).