“When it’s real, you’re doing this even without a record contract.”— Nas “Sparks — when illuminated and nurtured — give young people joy, energy and direction.”— Peter Benson When I was in graduate school, I taped to the wall in my office an image of Nas (from a...
May can feel like a sprint, a pileup, and an emotional goodbye all at once. One week, a child may be studying for finals, rushing to a band concert, worrying about friendship shifts, and counting down to summer. A parent may be tracking permission slips, late...
My brother-in-law is a potter. Not as a hobby. That is actually his job, and he is very good at it. Over the years he has explained a fair amount about his craft. One of the things that he explained has always stuck with me:...
Earlier this month, Allison Caplovitz and Stefanie Cousins attended SXSW EDU in Austin, TX, where they explored the intersection of technology, early childhood education, human connection and wellbeing. The event offered a wealth of insights into how we can thoughtfully integrate AI and digital tools...
By Nellie Gregorian Last night, I peeked into my teenage daughter’s room. She was lying on her bed, phone in hand, earbuds in, completely absorbed in her digital world. Every few seconds, she’d laugh softly, shake her head, or roll her eyes. A small, everyday moment. But...
At Fluent Research, we believe that understanding wellbeing requires a holistic lens. It must consider the interplay of technology, culture, education, and the natural world. When you read The Evolved Nest, the latest article by Fluent Research's Senior Child Development Researcher Amy Warren. PhD, you...
Gratitude is often treated as a polite habit, a personal virtue or a wellness practice. Simple and straightforward. Young people are encouraged to say thank you, write gratitude lists or focus on what they have. Developmental psychology tells a story that’s a bit more complicated. In...
In a world of endless scrolling and constant notifications, a growing number of young adults are asking a powerful question: what happens if we just stop? A recent study explored this concept, termed "digital quiet," by asking 18 to 24-year-olds, a generation raised online, to...
At first glance, Positive Youth Development and the Native Tongues might seem to live in different worlds — one grounded in research and youth policy, the other born from hip-hop’s playful, inventive spirit. Look closer and you see the same heartbeat: Young people thrive when...
AI as an On-Demand Study Partner For most teens, AI isn’t some mystical oracle—it’s a utility. A helpful assistant. Students use it to generate essay outlines, clarify complex topics, fix grammar, or summarize dense readings. The goal isn’t to cheat or cut corners; it’s to get...