Introduction: A Warm Gathering 

On the evening of April 2nd, the Grade 1 and Grade 2 Parent Meeting at the SHSID Hongkou Campus began in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The event aimed to further strengthen communication and partnership between home and school, working together to support students’ growth.

Prior to the meeting, parents arrived one after another, completed a smooth and well-organized check-in process, and received the meeting handbook. They then gathered in classrooms to watch a Grade Highlights video capturing special moments from students’ campus life. The video set a positive and engaging tone, filling the school with a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.

Session 1: Homeroom Connection - Curriculum & Expectations

The meeting then moved into the first session, where parents joined their homeroom classrooms for communication with the Homeroom Teachers. Teachers clearly outlined the Grade Expectations for the new semester aimed at supporting student development, including fostering intrinsic motivation, cultivating a growth mindset, strengthening time management skills, and encouraging independent learning.

In addition, teachers provided a comprehensive Curriculum Overview across four key subjects—Math, Chinese, English, Science and Social Studies—explaining teaching plans, activities and projects, and learning expectations for the term.

The session was highly interactive, with parents actively engaging in discussions and teachers thoughtfully addressing their questions. The atmosphere was warm and collaborative.

Session 2: Expert Lecture - Unlocking the Brain's "Command Center"

In the following keynote session, the school invited Dr. Lin Yuxiong from the Shanghai Mental Health Center to deliver a talk for Grade 1 and 2 parents on “Scientifically Nurturing Attention and Executive Function.”

Dr. Lin approached the topic through three key areas: understanding attention, understanding executive function, and scientifically cultivating these skills. He explained that attention is not a single ability but a complex cognitive process closely linked to the brain’s executive function. He further elaborated on executive function, describing it as the brain’s “air traffic control system,” which includes three core components: inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. These abilities are crucial for children’s learning capacity and self-management skills.

For practical application at home, Dr. Lin shared a series of scientific yet easy-to-implement strategies, such as using structured routines, gamified tasks, and positive reinforcement, to help children steadily improve attention and self-regulation in daily life.

By blending theory with practical examples, Dr. Lin’s talk provided parents with valuable insights, and the session sparked lively and engaging discussions.

Session 3: Parent Sharing - Cultivating Independent Learning Habits

During the parent-sharing session, Cynthia’s mom generously shared five practical strategies from her own parenting experience to nurture children’s independent learning. The first is establishing an after-school routine, a consistent routine provides children with a sense of control and security. The second is Stepping back while accompanying, she encouraged the parents to trust kids to try solving problems on their own, giving them space to develop independence. The third is offering choices, letting children make decisions stimulates intrinsic motivation and helps build confidence through “small victories.” The fourth is allowing time for “boredom”, Free play creates opportunities for children to explore interests and develop initiative. Last but not least, focusing on the long term, prioritize nurturing curiosity and the joy of learning over short-term grades, ensuring learning remains engaging and meaningful.

She emphasized that education is a long marathon. Only through patience, trust, and close home-school collaboration can we truly accompany children toward a more independent and confident future. Her thoughtful sharing resonated deeply with parents, inspiring reflection and reinforcing the power of collaborative parenting.

Closing Remarks: Moving Forward Together

At the close of the meeting, Ms. Chris delivered the closing remarks. She began by reflecting on the evening’s highlights, reviewing the semester’s key achievements and emphasizing that children are at a crucial stage for developing learning habits and behavioral norms, making strong home-school collaboration especially important. She also expressed gratitude for the insightful expert lecture and the thoughtful parent-sharing session.

Ms. Chris then gave parents a preview of several important upcoming events, including the Campus Open Day, Charity fair, HK young voices, encouraging continued partnership between school and families to provide students with a

broader platform for growth.

She concluded with a heartfelt message: education is a warm and nurturing journey, and the Hongkou Campus will continue to walk hand in hand with every parent, supporting students with love and wisdom as they grow confidently.

(Written by Becky Yang

Pictures by Elaine Zhu

Reviewed by Ms. Zhu Dan, Shiyu Wu, Hannah Kloeber)