Adolescence is a pivotal stage in a child's development and a period where family education faces numerous challenges. To help parents better understand the psychology and behavior of adolescents and build harmonious, healthy parent-child relationships, SHSID Middle School recently hosted a series of parent workshops titled "Nurturing with Balance: Empowering Children to Become Their Best Selves." Based on four real-life case studies, the series comprises four conversational videos covering "Digital Device Management," "From Dependence to Independence," "Motivating Academic Engagement," and "Fostering Resilience Through Setbacks." The sessions featured in-depth, candid, and insightful discussions with Dr. Zhang Hua, Attending Physician at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Department of Shanghai Mental Health Center, alongside school faculty and parent representatives from various grade levels.

All four sessions have been recorded and edited, with the first installment, "Mastering Screen Time," now available online. Junior high school is not only a period of academic growth for students but also a crucial stage for character development. We firmly believe that only through shared understanding and mutual support between home and school, aligned in guiding values, can we truly pave a solid and nurturing path for children's growth.

Preview of Core Series Content:

① Mastering Your Screen Time

This session focuses on issues arising from children's electronic device use and parental coping strategies. Experts emphasize that parents should negotiate with children as equals, establishing clear rules regarding usage duration, time slots, and reward/punishment systems (where rewards are genuinely desired and achievable). The essence of communication lies in understanding children's legitimate needs for social interaction and entertainment, transforming the management process into an opportunity to cultivate self-control and time management skills.

② From Dependence to Independence: The Wisdom of Letting Go

How should parents navigate the balance of letting go during the transition from elementary to middle school? This session highlights that parental anxiety often poses the greatest obstacle. Experts suggest cultivating independence by starting with "manageable areas of daily life" (e.g., clothing choices, personal belongings management). By granting trust, acknowledging progress, and scientifically recognizing a 3-6 month adjustment period in new environments, responsibilities can be gradually transferred to children, fostering their self-management and planning abilities.

③ From Confusion to Purpose: Guiding Adolescents to Discover Learning's Meaning

Addressing motivation gaps and existential confusion common in adolescence, this session shares practical wisdom from parents: encourage participation in clubs, nurture hobbies, and leverage fathers' crucial role during puberty. Help teens naturally connect learning with life through collective pride, independent exploration, and deep relationships, igniting intrinsic motivation.

④ Turning Setbacks into Growth Opportunities

This session delves into the pressures and self-doubt adolescents face when entering middle school amid academic competition and environmental changes. Experts emphasize that parents should avoid rushing to "solve problems for their children." Instead, they should employ "goal-breaking techniques," share personal failure experiences, offer emotional acceptance, and provide patient companionship. This helps children transform setbacks into learning and growth opportunities, fostering optimistic and resilient psychological qualities.

In the parent workshop, Dr. Zhang drew on extensive clinical cases to emphasize that, grounded in adolescent psychological development patterns, parents should cultivate trust as the foundation. This allows children to learn responsibility independently while patiently nurturing the parent-child relationship, guiding them through adolescence.

Meanwhile, school teachers shared observations of student behaviors and developmental trajectories from their daily work, introducing specific educational strategies such as "adversity quotient cultivation tools" and "growth mindset guidance." These insights not only provided parents with actionable methods but also vividly demonstrated the importance of integrating school education with family guidance to create a synergistic effect.

Additionally, heartfelt reflections from multiple parents strongly echoed the message: "Parental Co-education Concept." These real-life dilemmas, experiments, and success stories formed the most authentic and moving part of this lecture series.

These four parent workshops, representing the school's proactive effort to pool professional resources and foster deeper home-school dialogue. Together, home and school will compose a symphony of growth for children navigating adolescence.

(Written by Ma Xinyu

Pictures by Yan Ruolin

Reviewed by Mr. Shen Tianyuan, Shiyu Wu,