ap month

Positivity opens your mind

October 3, 2014

Research shows the experience of frequent positive emotions serves to broaden humans’ thoughts and behaviors, resulting in accrual of resources, including coping resources, which catalyze upward spirals toward future well-being.  As expected, frequent positive emotions during school were associated with higher levels of student engagement and negative emotions with lower levels of engagement. Positive emotions, […]

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Health and Ties

October 2, 2014

Studies show that quality ties to others are universally endorsed as central to optimal living.  Close and caring relationships are undeniably linked to health and well-being at all stages in the life span.  You need these relationships to help you, which allows you to help your children flourish.  So get out there and have some […]

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Welcome to AP Month 2014

October 1, 2014

Welcome to the 20th Anniversary of Attachment Parenting International.  This year’s theme is  Cherishing Parents, Flourishing Children.  Prepare to hear about the importance of FAMILY relationships and dynamics. From our Blog APtly Said “That’s what Attachment Parenting International is trying to do – to change culture from one that ignores the critical importance of attachment to […]

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Understanding Creativity

October 31, 2013

It is very exciting that creativity is getting more attention in research. An understanding of what creativity is is necessary to maximize creative potential. Five fundamental insights of creativity to consider include: 1) Creativity takes more than originality; it is a combination of originality and task appropriateness. 2) There are different levels of creativity:  “mini-c” […]

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Metaphors & Creativity

October 31, 2013

Metaphors which connect the mind (ideas) to the body (concrete acts), such as “think outside the box” and “on one hand, then on the other hand,” can activate cognitive processes that facilitate the generation of new ideas and connections.   What metaphors can you think of to fit recurrent challenges?  What are your observations about […]

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Stressors & Creativity

October 30, 2013

Findings are still unclear about exactly how stress effects creativity. Studies do show that highly evaluative contexts decrease creative performance and low evaluative contexts increase creative performance.   This tells us that evaluating creative acts can be helpful if done more casually and constructively and criticism is less likely to spur improvement.   How do […]

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REM & Creativity

October 30, 2013

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, the phase of sleep when dreams occur is shown to allow integration of previously unassociated information.  Creativity is enhanced when information can be consolidated and associated in our sleep, but sleep is most elusive for busy parents!  If life starts to feel like rocket science, check your sleep and see […]

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