When you talk with your mentee, try to remember to:

·       Clear your mind of unnecessary thoughts and distractions, so you can give her or him your undivided attention

·       If your mentee is much smaller than you, sit when you talk, so you are at about the same level

·       Make eye contact

·       Be aware of your body language

·       Pay attention to your mentee’s facial expressions, gestures, and body language

·       Read between the lines for your mentees feelings.  Learn to say, “ How did that make you feel?”

·       Ask open-ended questions. Don’t ask, “ How was school today?” Instead ask, “ What did you do in school today?”  Then, as appropriate, ask nonthreatening follow-up questions.

·       Paraphrase-restate in your own words- what you think the mentee has said.  When paraphrasing is accurate, your mentee will feel understood.  If it is off the mark, it invites him or her to clarify and also reminds you to listen more closely.

·       Ask questions when you don’t understand.

·       Put aside preconceived notions, and refrain from passing judgement

·       Acknowledge that you are listening by occasionally nodding your head and making comments.

·       Give your mentee the same respect that you desire for yourself when you are talking to someone.