Imagine if...
Imagine if your little tells you something personal. Should you talk about that with your friends?
No! Remember that confidentiality is extremely important!
True or false: The purpose of Rebel Pals is to build and foster one-on-one mentoring relationships with elementary students and high school students in the Vestavia Hills City School system.
TRUE!
What do we mean by confidentiality?
Keep information about your little private!
True or False: You can make a difference in the lives of your Littles.
TRUE!!! Research shows that just one caring relationship can positively impact a kid's life!
Imagine if your little says that they feel like they want to hurt themselves...What is the most important thing for you do?
Tell their counselor ASAP!
What could you say to that child?
True or false: If you are going to be absent on Rebel Pal day, you don't need to worry about telling anyone.
FALSE!
The littles look forward to seeing you all week. Let someone know if you can't be at Rebel Pals so that kid isn't sitting and waiting on you.
How will you know about your elementary school's procedure for Rebel Pals?
Every elementary school is different. You will get a video explaining how your Little's school does things before your first day!
FALSE!
Kindergarteners and 1st graders should be walked back to their classroom before you leave.
Imagine if you know that your little's parents are going through a tough divorce. Your little's sibling is in your grade at VHHS, but y'all have never been friends or really talked. Should you reach out to them and say you are sorry about the situation?
No! Even though this could be coming from a good place. Part of confidentiality means keeping certain information inside.
True or false: You should team up with other bigs and littles to play games during Rebel Pal time. More people = more fun!
FALSE!
Part of the benefit of Rebel Pals is the one on one attention and relationship.
What's the rule about cell phone usage while with your little?
Don't use them! Cell phones should be put away while you are with your little...even if they ask!
Is it okay to bring your own activity to do with your little?
Yes!
If you know your little likes a specific game or toy, we would love for you to bring that activity to do during your time together.
Imagine if your little got upset when they lost at the board game you were playing together. They throw the pieces across the room and scream that they hate this game. What do you do?
Text the counselor!
After texting the counselor, focus on calming the child down (suggest a different activity, tell them this game makes you mad sometimes too, ask them to take a break and go on a walk with you).
True or false: Open-ended questions are better than yes or no questions.
TRUE!
Try to ask questions that will lead to more conversation. For example, instead of saying, "Did you have a good weekend?" Say "Tell me about your weekend" or "What did you do this weekend?"
Give an example of something you would need to let your Little's school counselor know about.
Multiple answers!
If it gives you pause, tell the counselor. (ex. anything about hurting themselves or someone else, family changes, mature comments, etc)
List 5 questions that you could ask your little if they aren't talking much.
Multiple answers!
Who, What, When, Where, Why, How questions are good for opening up conversation. Starting with "Tell me..." is always good too!
Imagine if your Little's parent sends a request to follow you on Instagram. What should you do?
Decline the request!
We want to keep professional boundaries with the kids and their families.
True or false: If a parent asks you to babysit your little over the weekend, you should do it. You already have built a relationship with that kid anyways!
False.
Each situation is different! You need to talk to your Little's counselor, Mrs. Erwood, and Mrs. Prewitt before answering that parent.
What's the rule about grouping up with other bigs and littles during Rebel Pals?
Don't do it! This should be one-on-one mentoring time.
Act it out! Show us an example of a Big demonstrating active listening with their Little.
BRAVO!
You can tell someone is actively listening by looking at their body language and noticing if the person comments on the specific things the person is telling them.