As we are aware, RTE or Right to Education has been implemented in our schools. What it essentially means is that children from socially backward backgrounds get to study in private schools to get better quality education which their government schools cannot provide. Now, getting them into a private school is just the first step. It is difficult on them as they adjust to their new classmates, curriculum being taught in English and other factors.

This year, the school that my kids study in is trying out a new initiative. Something along the lines of student mentors. So my son who is in 10th grade along with his classmates has been assigned a few RTE students from the first grade to help monitor their progress and provide them individual coaching in subjects where they may be facing some difficulty.

My son who has started doing this since past week is very excited when he told us how his experience has been going. Having a 6-year-old under you gives you lessons in patience, affection and perseverance. Since these kids will be having their first exams from today, these boys and girls were coaching them half an hour every morning before their Assembly.

My son is called Anna (elder brother) affectionately, and he refers to the child as ‘my boy’. That is quite amusing to watch. Then their peers discuss ‘their kids’ with each other. While my son’s child is quite academically oriented and listens to his Anna, it is not the case with all kids (as we parents very well know 😉 ). There are kids who hide under benches, some who want to play with fidget spinners, while yet others who matter-of-fact say that they don’t want to study, in short naughty and spirited. These older kids then sweat in trying to convince the young tots to pay attention and study well. The son was saying that they are such cute kids that one does not have the heart to scold them. Welcome to parenting, I say. 😛

I personally feel that it is a great exercise by the school. I will commend them at the next PTI. This way, we help children bond better with each other. This mentorship makes older kids more responsible and cultivates in them empathy for children who may have more challenges than they do. Also, this is such a good way to help children as children do learn better from older children.

 

Have you come across any such initiative? What do you think about this?

Pic courtesy: By SMIRNOVA IRINA on Shutterstock

23 Thoughts on “When Children Mentor Other Children

  1. This is such a good initiative like you said which will not only help those small kids but also the mentors with a lesson in patience and care. I think this is one of the best things I have heard recently on what schools these days are doing. Makes me happy 🙂

  2. Wow! This is such a good initiative. Really children learn best from other other children. Wish more schools adopt this. Though the son is teaching here, he is the learner in real life, something no formal education can teach.

  3. Wow that’s a brilliant initiative. And I am impressed by how responsible your son sounds. Kudos to those who came up with this idea. It’s going to help both the younger and older kids.

    • Not only my son but the other kids are liking this too. It makes them feel all responsible. 🙂 I do agree that it is a wonderful initiative.

  4. This is a great initiative of helping the kids from the weaker strata, as well as the older children in terms of being responsible and be proud of themselves for their contribution to the society. The school’s effort is really commendable.

  5. Wow! That’s a splendid initiative. I was smiling imagining how your boy mentors a little one. 🙂 It is going to help all the students. Kudos!

  6. That’s a wonderful thing that the school is doing and I’m glad your son is so enthusiastic about it! How cute!!

    • Thanks, Rosh! The older son is quite good with younger kids, and he is genuinely enjoying this. Makes them feel all grown-up and responsible. 🙂

  7. What a super initiative. I have a friend who’s a social worker who works with getting children admitted in school under RTE and the biggest problem they face is in integrating their kids with other school children. Most of them want to drop out because they don’t feel comfortable. This is great way of helping them out.

    • I do agree. Integration is an issue and using children to help other children is quite a great idea. I was so pleased to learn about this initiative and the son and I have daily talks about ‘his’ kid.

  8. This is indeed a very good initiative! Great to see such a concept being brought in at this age. Montessori actually thrives on this principle and almost by default, kids will learn to be more helpful towards others. Great move and so sweet to hear about your son.

  9. Children learn so much from their surroundings and having other children around as mentors is indeed a great initiative. This helps them bond better and learn better too. Also, somehow some children understand the other one better than their own folks. This level of comfort is boosting for any child.

  10. It is really a great thing by schools and also elder kids get better in many skills such as presentation, strong in basics, communication and making the things understand to other kids. It is a commendable initiative. On the other hands, little kids enjoy learning from peers than teachers.

    Nice to know that such thing exist.

  11. This is interesting. Surprised that schools are taking up initiatives such as these. I would like to know the results it would have on those grade 1 kids.. how positive is the impact????

  12. This sounds like an awesome idea Rachna. And what a sweet response from your son 🙂

  13. That is such a great initiative! A learning experience for the older children too!

  14. This is such a great idea that benefits both the student and the teacher!Glad your son is enjoying it!

  15. Anna’s boy. How cute!! 🙂

Do not leave without commenting. I love a good conversation :).

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