中文
HOME
HOME / LATEST NEWS / Content

Parent School on Teen Emotions Held

June 27, 2025

On the morning of June 26, 2025, a special lecture titled “Understanding Teen Emotions — A Scientific Approach to Communication in the Digital Age” was held in the ZhongXing Building Auditorium. The event was part of the SHSID High School Parent School Lecture Series and was delivered by Ms. Shen Yuting, a core member of the school’s psychology group. Open to all high school parents, the lecture aimed to help families build more scientific, empathetic, and effective communication strategies with adolescents by deepening their understanding of teen psychology during the formative years.



Ms. Shen began the session with humor and warmth, inviting parents to share the common challenges they face in everyday communication with their teenagers—such as untidy rooms, unrestricted screen time, or poor time management. These seemingly minor issues quickly resonated with the audience, sketching a familiar picture of adolescent-parent tension. Drawing from these shared experiences, Ms. Shen emphasized that many conflicts in family communication arise from intensified emotional responses, rapid mood swings, and a limited capacity for self-expression typical of adolescence. When parents respond with heightened emotions of their own, conflicts tend to escalate rather than resolve.


Delving deeper, Ms. Shen offered insights grounded in psychology and neuroscience, explaining how hormonal changes and the ongoing development of the adolescent brain contribute to emotional volatility. She highlighted that behaviors often labeled as “rebellious” are, in fact, natural outcomes of this developmental stage. Since teenagers’ brains are not yet fully equipped to manage complex emotions and external demands, they require greater patience, understanding, and strategic support from adults.



Ms. Shen introduced a three-tiered framework for effective parent-child communication. The foundation lies in a stable and trusting relationship; the second layer involves empathy and emotional understanding; and the top tier encompasses collaboration and constructive feedback. She emphasized the importance of first “seeing the child’s emotions” in order to truly “hear the child’s voice.”



The lecture also featured several interactive components that brought theory to life:

• During the “Fist Game,” parents worked in pairs to simulate how one might persuade another to open a tightly clenched fist—an activity that metaphorically illustrated the inefficacy of forceful communication and the power of gentle persuasion.

• In the “Parent-Teen Dialogue Skit,” Ms. Shen and Ms. Su co-performed a series of vivid and humorous role-plays that portrayed common communication pitfalls at home, such as nagging or emotionally charged responses. These scenarios sparked laughter and self-reflection among the audience, with many parents commenting afterward, “That was exactly what happens in our home,” and “Changing just a few words really makes a difference.”

• The “Communication Practice” session allowed parents to apply what they had learned by engaging in short scene-based dialogues, using open, feeling-based language and practicing constructive responses. These exercises showcased a clear transformation in communication style and mindset.


The lecture was rich in content yet accessible, blending psychological depth with lively, engaging delivery. It equipped parents not only with a clearer understanding of adolescent emotional development but also with practical tools to navigate daily communication challenges. Many parents left the session saying they had found the insights “truly helpful,” and were “reminded of so many important details,” and that they looked forward to “trying out what we learned today at home.”


This event exemplifies SHSID’s commitment to the philosophy of home-school collaboration in nurturing holistic growth. Adolescence is a time of uncertainty, but also of immense potential. In this journey, parents’ empathy and presence serve as guiding lights. Moving forward, SHSID will continue to offer parent engagement programs centered on family relationships, mental health, and student development, working hand in hand with families to support every student in becoming a more confident, independent, and emotionally resilient individual.


(Written by Jie Su   Pictures by Molly Wang  Reviewed by Qian Zuo)