Why children need mentorship beyond classrooms

“Mentorship” is often reserved for professionals, but through The Write Compass, my mentorship is extended to children as well.

Here’s why our children need mentorship and guidance that is beyond the syllabus and marks.

What makes our mentorship special

Children often ask me, “Ma’am, are you a tuition teacher?” I gently reply, “I’m your Mentor. I work with you to help you through days at school and home, in a fun and creative manner.”

My little mentees have discovered that their group sessions with me at the W.I.N.G.S Program are their fun place, where they explore creativity through reading and writing, while I gently season it with NLP and art therapy.

Here, I don’t rush the children, it is not like we need to finish a chapter at school. If they forget a pencil or an eraser, we don’t focus on that; instead, we focus on the materials we have and how we can grow from there. Children thrive on focused attention, and they get it here at my W.I.N.G.S Program. I want to maintain the sanctity of this Program as a fun and safe place for my young mentees to thrive and blossom into the happy children they are meant to be.

My career as a Writing Mentor & Coach

I began my career as a Writing Mentor and Coach over five years ago, working exclusively with adults—doctors, lawyers, PhD professors, school principals, storytellers, homemakers, those on sabbatical, corporate professionals, and more.

It’s not that they weren’t good writers or that they wanted to be writers. It is a misconception that writing mentorship means one has to become a writer or an author. Not always. Writing as a tool is such a brilliant concept that it works at so many levels. Bit by bit, slow and steady, we unfold unhelpful patterns and false beliefs that affect one’s self-confidence, and we gradually unlock one’s true potential.

How my writing mentorship works

In my writing mentorship programs, I give them a gentle nudge in the right direction. My mentorship has helped my mentees overcome the initial trouble and organise vast amounts of information without feeling overwhelmed. Topics that seemed out of reach or insurmountable suddenly felt like they could be worked on without feeling the heebie-jeebies.

Just like we work with a personal fitness trainer, a yoga instructor, or a sports coach, I work with you to help you achieve your goals—using writing as the primary tool.

Sometimes, we’re not even clear about our goals. We feel scattered. And that’s okay. It’s good to sit in that space of mess. From there arises the need for change. And this process is so personal, and I, as a writing mentor, help my mentees with this process. It comes from them, and they bask in the glory of self-evolution. 

Embarking on a mentorship journey for children

Once I had successfully mentored professionals, many of them asked me to mentor their children as well. Initially, I was hesitant—I hadn’t set out to work with children. But their faith in me was so heartening that I took the plunge. And I’m happy I did. The children flourished, too.

Having been a writer for over 20 years, I’ve found that writing and mentorship go hand in hand. Over time, I integrated NLP, coaching, and art therapy into my work. The results have been transformative.

Today, children need focused attention. It is not about quantity; it is the quality of time that we put in. It need not be several hours, but a consistent, dedicated, focused, short span of time is what they need.

Where’s the gap and what are they?

In my years of mentoring children, I have noticed that they crave individual, focused feedback, which is not possible in classrooms, where a single teacher has to devote time to so many pupils. I’ve also observed that while children may read books, they’re not willing to write, as they feel it takes more effort to put their thoughts on paper. In fact, I’ve often been approached by mums who share that, while their children read a lot, they’re not willing to write, let alone accept that their approach to writing — being participative at school or sharing their thoughts and ideas — needs a nudge.

This is where I step in. I work with the children in dedicated one-on-one sessions, spanning once, twice or up to three times a week. We work on new concepts that are totally agnostic to what is being taught in school.

Why my writing mentorship helps My mentorship is designed to guide young minds not just academically, but in navigating life’s many situations—whether in the classroom or beyond. It’s not fast-paced. It’s slow, steady, and deep.

Let’s not wait until we’re professionals to hire a mentor; some things can be worked on while we’re still younger and able to unlearn and relearn. Adults, too, have this ability, but if we can get mentorship support sooner, it can lay a strong foundation for children and young adults.

Our writing mentorship programs work at various levels with learners/mentees. We work on narratives and on challenging limiting or negative beliefs. We work on expanding our horizons and taking risks without being so afraid of failure.

If you or your child (preferably Grade 8 onwards for the 6-Month Program, and Grades 4–7 for the W.I.N.G.S. Program) feels they could benefit from one-on-one mentorship through writing, let’s connect.

Here’s what your child will gain through our mentorship:

1. Personalized 1:1 online mentorship sessions

Tailored guidance that meets them where they are—academically, emotionally, and creatively.

2. Assignments with dedicated, constructive feedback

Every piece of work receives thoughtful input to help them grow with clarity and confidence.

3. A love for learning and problem-solving

We nurture curiosity, resilience, and the joy of figuring things out.

4. Practical tools for academic and real-world success

From structuring thoughts to expressing ideas clearly, they’ll gain skills that last a lifetime.

5. Support in overcoming limiting beliefs and mental blocks

We gently challenge inner doubts and help them reframe their self-talk.

6. A shift in mindset and perspective

We instil a growth mindset—encouraging them to see challenges as opportunities.

7. Holistic personality development

Beyond academics, we focus on emotional intelligence, confidence, and self-awareness.

8. Mentorship beyond marks and exams

We help them discover who they are—not just what they score.

9. Guidance to navigate real-life situations

From classroom dynamics to everyday dilemmas, we equip them with tools to respond with clarity and calm.

10. A safe, nurturing space to express and evolve

Our sessions are a judgment-free zone where they can explore, reflect, and thrive.