Mentor Tip: Positive Reinforcement

Send this message to the mentors only.

Subject: Mentoring tips on positive reinforcement

Find ways to have fun with protégés and your fellow mentors. Talk about interesting topics. Share humorous experiences. Such communications help young people relate to you and feel that you value their company. Enjoyable online activities include talking about your experiences in college and employment, interesting online resources, current events and community service opportunities, and your personal goals.

Be positive and offer expressions of confidence and encouragement even when talking about difficult situations. Find ways to show approval of our young participants and their ideas and to celebrate their successes. There are many ways to do this. Here are examples of positive comments that show approval and interest.

• Great idea.
• Right on! Fantastic! Terrific!
• Great job.
• Exactly right!
• Nice going.
• Good work.
• Outstanding!
• Great! Way to go!
• Perfect.
• Excellent!
• I bet you're happy about that.
• I can tell how pleased you are about this.
• I knew you could do it.
• Wow! All your hard work paid off.
• I bet you'll celebrate this accomplishment.
• I know exactly what you mean.
• I feel the same way at times.
• Keep trying—you'll get it.
• I'd like to hear more about your thoughts on this.
• What do you recommend to other teens who wish to accomplish something like this?
• How can you build on this successful experience?