Use Strategies to Help Your High-Energy Mentee Is it hard for your mentee to sit still and stay focused? Is he impulsive? Strong-willed and difficult to direct? You’ll be less frustrated and more successful at encouraging positive behavior if you: Be more curious than furious. When your mentee misbehaves, try to find out why. Then respond thoughtfully. Set clear rules and reasonable consequences for breaking rules. It’s difficult for high energy children to manage their own behavior. Rules help guide them. Plan ahead. Think of activities to entertain your mentee on car rides or as you wait in a restaurant. Try simple math or word games. Give clear instructions. Break tasks down into steps. Have your mentee repeat these back to you. Limit distractions. TV and video computer games make it difficult for your mentee to focus and hear your requests.

adapted from
Parent Connection
Virginia Beach City Public Schools