Every time the coffee shop opens its doors, around 3:30 p.m., the kids begin coming out of school. Dina greets the students and their families and invites them to join the tutoring program. Recently, the program hosted a slime making session in the last hour of tutoring. New students excitedly signed up to participate alongside those who have been part of the program for a while.
One of the things Dina loves most about the tutoring program is giving the older students opportunities to take the lead on projects they are excited about. It gives them a sense of agency and allows them to become leaders and helpers within the group. They are not simply participating—they are teaching, encouraging, and looking out for the younger students.
By the end of the activity, both old and new students were excited about the slime they had made. What may seem like something as simple as homework help or an afternoon making slime can give a child an opportunity to try something new, build confidence, connect with other students, and feel like they belong.