A review of issues regarding the process of mentoring relative to the creative child or adult considers both teacher and parent roles in the process. Encouragement in the creative realm must be constructive and geared toward the individual's special needs and interests. Particular differences may be seen among mentoring processes for individuals based on such factors as age and sex. Parents and teachers who wish to mentor creative children and adults should encourage these individuals to recognize and fully use their greatest strengths and help them find other supporting individuals. Skilled insightful persons can usually recognize skilled younger persons and generally can initiate a relationship early on. The possibility of establishing professional mentors should be explored. (CB)