AS September draws to a close, now is a great time to review and solidify your family’s new school year routines, and to start to get organized for the rest of the exciting year to come. While parents have likely already begun implementing different strategies with the aim of helping their child successfully manage their schoolwork, it’s important to work closely with both your child and their school throughout the year. In fact, a study conducted by the US National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools concluded that there is a positive and convincing relationship between family involvement and student success.

With a focus on helping parents give their children the best foundation to reach their potential, at the beginning of every school year, the educators at Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS) meet parents and get to know them through information sessions, and share with parents the important curriculum and school information they need to know to support their children. The school believes that a three-way partnership between the parents, the school, and students is paramount to helping children perform to the very best of their ability, and the administrators have offered the following thoughts regarding how to support your child in order to ensure a successful 2014-2015 school year:

Get involved: Starting with the basics, ask your child about their day at school. Whether they are in their first or last year of school, this will help you become involved in their learning journey, as you find out what their school day involves. Andrew Mellor, Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Primary co-principal at YCIS’s Hongqiao campus, says, “As educators, and with parents’ support, we make sure we do the utmost we can to develop the potential of each child.”

Know the plan: It’s important to be aware of how teachers plan for the year and what the upcoming curriculum entails, so you can help your child learn how to manage their own time and complete their school work to the best of their ability. Whether your child brings their homework schedule in a diary, or if it’s available online, it’s important to take the time to review this together. As an added bonus, if you can find ways to reinforce the schoolwork at home, this will really help their learning sink in.

Meet the educators: Attending parent information sessions, parent/teacher interviews, and school events regularly will help keep you informed about your child’s progress, as well as how you can support their learning at home. Elizabeth Randall, YCIS ECE superintendent, notes, “The YCIS learning community welcomes the involvement of parents to help ensure the successful development of their child.” YCIS also holds events such as “Welcome Teas” and “Curriculum Evenings” at the beginning of each semester to make sure parents know what to expect in the upcoming year, and how they can work with the school and their child to find success.

Encourage your child to get to know their peers: The journey through school should be an enjoyable one, and building relationships with classmates should be part of that equation, as they are on a parallel journey with your child. While children relish the opportunity to soak up new knowledge, it’s also important for them to branch out and get to know new friends. To help reinforce bonds between classmates, YCIS started a new “community period” for Secondary students this year. Jonathan Evans, IGCSE coordinator at YCIS’s Gubei campus shares that, “This period allows the entire class to come together and gives them a sense that they are part of a tight-knit learning community. It allows students to connect on a personal level with all of their classmates, and helps them develop teamwork skills.”

Have an international outlook: Shanghai offers children the chance to learn in a multicultural environment. For many families, the chance to live in Shanghai is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” and parents can help their children use their new Chinese language skills and appreciate learning about different cultures, all of which will help them compete in the ever-more globalized future. Matthew Grady, IB coordinator at YCIS’s Century Park campus adds, “We see our students blossom as they use the Chinese language skills they develop in class. They are able to practice their speaking, reading, and writing skills as they travel across China in our ‘Experiencing China’ program, and as they volunteer in various charities, gaining a true cultural experience while honing their language skills.”

Have consistent routines: For younger students, make sure your child knows how the day works after school. Set a time limit to complete homework, somewhere quiet in the home. If your child doesn’t understand something, be sure to let their teacher know, and ask about ways you might be able to help your child better comprehend the topic. Melissa Shaw, Curriculum coordinator at YCIS’s Regency Park campus, says, “Teachers appreciate when parents reach out with questions, as it is important for us to help support children in every way we can.”

Champion your child’s interests and initiatives: Whether it’s a charity or a new club, be sure to encourage your child as they take on new projects and activities. It helps them consolidate what they know, and gives them the confidence to practice their skills and knowledge that they have acquired. Grady notes, “As parents, encouraging your child to take initiative, starting early on, helps build good habits, and is critical to their success later in high school and even at university level. Learning to take initiative, well before college applications are due, will help build critical communication and leadership skills.”

Remember the old saying about all work and no play: Leave room in your child’s schedule to “just be a kid.” Just playing with their friends is a boost for their social skills. And, for older ones gearing up for higher education, remember fun activities such as sports, participating in drama productions, and the ability to play a musical instrument are all assets universities and colleges are keen to see represented in their student bodies.

Like a triangle, parents, schools, and students can find balance by working together. Schools like YCIS, which value this threefold partnership and create programs to nurture these relationships, help ensure that everyone is working toward the same goals, all in the best interest of the child, with the aim of preparing them for success in school and beyond.