The play factor: 3 rules to grow by
Kids develop as they play. But not every play situation works this way. Even when it comes to the most powerful kind — role play.
🖇 Researchers say that for play to truly help a child grow, three elements should be in place.
1️⃣ Imaginary situation. It’s what makes play play. A chair turns into a car seat, a blanket into a superhero’s cape. That’s when two worlds collide: the visual field — real objects; and the field of meanings — the world as the child imagines it. This tension between the two is what drives children’s mental growth.
2️⃣ Normative situation. Rules that children bring from the real world into play allow them to practice social norms. When a child plays “school,” they follow the rules of how students and teachers interact. If someone breaks character, kids often step in:
Children may take on roles they don’t fully understand — but with help, they gradually learn real-life norms.
Role play usually implies both imagination and rules — but that’s still not enough. There has to be a social situation of development: a challenge the child faces, which determines how their personality unfolds. And for it to happen you need the third element.
3️⃣ Child’s emotional perception. The way the child sees and feels the situation determines both if they grow through it, and what path they take. Playing “teacher,” one child might learn to lead the group, another to show empathy, while a third may not take much from the game at all. Each child’s unique experience turns the same game into a completely different lesson — or no lesson at all.
The power of play isn’t just in rules and imagination — it’s in how deeply a child lives through the situation. Let them try different roles and find the ones that truly resonate — that’s where growth happens.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#ChildPlay #ChildDevelopment
Kids develop as they play. But not every play situation works this way. Even when it comes to the most powerful kind — role play.
🖇 Researchers say that for play to truly help a child grow, three elements should be in place.
“No, teachers don’t say that!”
Children may take on roles they don’t fully understand — but with help, they gradually learn real-life norms.
Role play usually implies both imagination and rules — but that’s still not enough. There has to be a social situation of development: a challenge the child faces, which determines how their personality unfolds. And for it to happen you need the third element.
The power of play isn’t just in rules and imagination — it’s in how deeply a child lives through the situation. Let them try different roles and find the ones that truly resonate — that’s where growth happens.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#ChildPlay #ChildDevelopment
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A part or apart of the Earth
The planet is heating up at record speed, seas are rising twice as fast, droughts hit harder each year. People react differently. Some do nothing, others stick to small habits such as carrying a tote bag. Still others take bigger steps, like sorting waste or even joining tree-planting drives.
It depends a lot on how easy the action feels. If your yard has proper bins, sorting waste is simple. If work is just a short ride away, taking a bike is simple. Once it takes extra effort, most people drop it. But some still take those hard steps that could ultimately help save our planet. It’s because they have the motivation.
🖇 Research says, simply hearing about disasters isn’t enough to spark motivation. Yet knowledge is important: knowledge about how humans impact nature, what actions are possible, and how effective each action is. It shows people more ways they can help and allows them pick the ones that fit them.
Knowledge can also make us feel closer to nature. When you realize forests clean the air you breathe or wetlands shield your home from floods, it suddenly feels personal: you’re part of nature. Connection to nature often sparks action, so it’s a vital piece of the puzzle. But there’s still one more.
People who naturally care about others are the ones more likely to take action. The qualities that move us to help a neighbor can be the ones that push us to care for nature, once we feel truly connected to it. This way, empathy lets us sense the damage humans cause, fairness pushes us to share resources wisely, and humility reminds us we’re not above nature but within it.
Every piece of the puzzle connects. If we teach caring for people and caring for nature side by side, the effect multiplies. Together, these lessons could turn small steps into real change.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#EnvironmentalAction #EnvironmentalMotivation #SaveThePlanet
The planet is heating up at record speed, seas are rising twice as fast, droughts hit harder each year. People react differently. Some do nothing, others stick to small habits such as carrying a tote bag. Still others take bigger steps, like sorting waste or even joining tree-planting drives.
It depends a lot on how easy the action feels. If your yard has proper bins, sorting waste is simple. If work is just a short ride away, taking a bike is simple. Once it takes extra effort, most people drop it. But some still take those hard steps that could ultimately help save our planet. It’s because they have the motivation.
🖇 Research says, simply hearing about disasters isn’t enough to spark motivation. Yet knowledge is important: knowledge about how humans impact nature, what actions are possible, and how effective each action is. It shows people more ways they can help and allows them pick the ones that fit them.
Knowledge can also make us feel closer to nature. When you realize forests clean the air you breathe or wetlands shield your home from floods, it suddenly feels personal: you’re part of nature. Connection to nature often sparks action, so it’s a vital piece of the puzzle. But there’s still one more.
People who naturally care about others are the ones more likely to take action. The qualities that move us to help a neighbor can be the ones that push us to care for nature, once we feel truly connected to it. This way, empathy lets us sense the damage humans cause, fairness pushes us to share resources wisely, and humility reminds us we’re not above nature but within it.
Every piece of the puzzle connects. If we teach caring for people and caring for nature side by side, the effect multiplies. Together, these lessons could turn small steps into real change.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#EnvironmentalAction #EnvironmentalMotivation #SaveThePlanet
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Money talks (and so does culture)
You might think shopping is about what you like. You see, you buy. But behind each purchase stands something bigger.
(British)
(Mexican)
(Russian)
Every society has sayings about money. They aren’t just words, they’re mirrors of cultural beliefs that shape our attitude towards spending.
🖇 Scholars from Mexico found that culture does influence consumer choices. And it does so differently for men and women. For example, our spending often follows the rhythms of family life. In many households, the father is still seen as the main provider, often deciding on big purchases.
Mothers, on the other hand, handle the everyday needs like groceries and school supplies. And it is women, who often stretch the budget, go into debt, or give up personal wants to secure essentials for their family.
Men are more likely to buy something to reward themselves, or to bring a gift to their loving ones. Presents, in this case, are tokens of love, apologies for absence, or ways to strengthen family ties. Of course, both make emotional purchases. For women, social pressure can play a big role: a new dress or accessory isn’t just about personal taste, but about keeping up and standing out among friends.
So next time you find yourself standing in front of a shelf, card in hand, think about what exactly influences your choice. It is the first step to making one that’s truly best for you.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#ConsumerBehaviour
You might think shopping is about what you like. You see, you buy. But behind each purchase stands something bigger.
“A penny saved is a penny earned”
(British)
"With money the dog dances"
(Mexican)
"The stingy one pays twice"
(Russian)
Every society has sayings about money. They aren’t just words, they’re mirrors of cultural beliefs that shape our attitude towards spending.
🖇 Scholars from Mexico found that culture does influence consumer choices. And it does so differently for men and women. For example, our spending often follows the rhythms of family life. In many households, the father is still seen as the main provider, often deciding on big purchases.
Mothers, on the other hand, handle the everyday needs like groceries and school supplies. And it is women, who often stretch the budget, go into debt, or give up personal wants to secure essentials for their family.
Men are more likely to buy something to reward themselves, or to bring a gift to their loving ones. Presents, in this case, are tokens of love, apologies for absence, or ways to strengthen family ties. Of course, both make emotional purchases. For women, social pressure can play a big role: a new dress or accessory isn’t just about personal taste, but about keeping up and standing out among friends.
So next time you find yourself standing in front of a shelf, card in hand, think about what exactly influences your choice. It is the first step to making one that’s truly best for you.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#ConsumerBehaviour
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Shine on, you little minds!
One student steps onto the campus of a top university, carrying years of tutoring and parental support. Another ends up in a third-rate college, going through the motions of study without any enthusiasm. The difference between the two started before they were born – in the education and social status of their parents. But must it always be so?
Research shows that parents’ education indeed predicts the success of their kids. From early childhood, it influences how they develop their memory, flexibility, intelligence, and emotional skills. And that’s in countries like Russia too, where preschool provides equal start to everyone. That’s because educated parents often fill their homes with books and games, and give their kids space and encouragement to learn.
Yet there’s something more important than a parent’s degree. It’s about helping kids explore culture. Trips to museums and theaters can have a bigger say in their future than you might think, as they boost verbal working memory and emotional understanding. Listening to a guide’s story, following a performance, or discussing an artwork invites kids to think, reflect, feel, and express themselves. And that can do for them more than hours with the most expensive tutor.
Children from less privileged families aren’t doomed. You don’t need a degree or a fortune to shape their future. Sometimes you just need to open the door to culture and walk alongside them: spark their curiosity, share their wonder, and reflect together on the simple yet profound questions they love to ask. And maybe, you’ll discover something beautiful for yourself too.
Join us to explore the human minds together!
#ExecutiveFunction #VerbalWorkingMemory #EmotionalComprehension
One student steps onto the campus of a top university, carrying years of tutoring and parental support. Another ends up in a third-rate college, going through the motions of study without any enthusiasm. The difference between the two started before they were born – in the education and social status of their parents. But must it always be so?
Research shows that parents’ education indeed predicts the success of their kids. From early childhood, it influences how they develop their memory, flexibility, intelligence, and emotional skills. And that’s in countries like Russia too, where preschool provides equal start to everyone. That’s because educated parents often fill their homes with books and games, and give their kids space and encouragement to learn.
Yet there’s something more important than a parent’s degree. It’s about helping kids explore culture. Trips to museums and theaters can have a bigger say in their future than you might think, as they boost verbal working memory and emotional understanding. Listening to a guide’s story, following a performance, or discussing an artwork invites kids to think, reflect, feel, and express themselves. And that can do for them more than hours with the most expensive tutor.
Children from less privileged families aren’t doomed. You don’t need a degree or a fortune to shape their future. Sometimes you just need to open the door to culture and walk alongside them: spark their curiosity, share their wonder, and reflect together on the simple yet profound questions they love to ask. And maybe, you’ll discover something beautiful for yourself too.
Join us to explore the human minds together!
#ExecutiveFunction #VerbalWorkingMemory #EmotionalComprehension
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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Memory
A kid does all the homework but still struggles to keep up? Maybe there’s an issue with the little one’s verbal working memory!
It’s the brain’s notepad – it helps us remember words long enough to make sense of them. And it’s key for learning. If a child can keep in mind both the details and how they connect, they solve tasks more quickly and creatively. Something that should be trained from an early age.
🖇 Over three years, researchers followed children aged 5 to 7 and noticed a clear pattern: the more extracurricular activities a child took part in, the sharper their verbal memory became.
We have a system called the phonological loop. It has two parts: a short-term sound storage, and an auditory control method – an inner voice that repeats sounds to keep them fresh in our mind.
Different extracurricular activities train it differently. A child who takes piano lessons and learns Spanish has to remember long pieces of music while also keeping new words in mind and linking them to what they already know. Doing both helps their verbal memory grow stronger.
Still, it’s not necessary to load your kid’s life with nonstop extracurriculars. Any activity can boost verbal working memory – as long as it follows these three simple principles.
1️⃣ Well-structured. Children memorize new information when they connect it to what they already know.
2️⃣ Builds on the kid's cultural knowledge. Culture provides the environment for new information to sink in.
3️⃣ Supported by a good teacher-child bond. Kids learn more when they enjoy spending time with their teacher.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#VerbalMemory #ExecutiveFunction
A kid does all the homework but still struggles to keep up? Maybe there’s an issue with the little one’s verbal working memory!
It’s the brain’s notepad – it helps us remember words long enough to make sense of them. And it’s key for learning. If a child can keep in mind both the details and how they connect, they solve tasks more quickly and creatively. Something that should be trained from an early age.
🖇 Over three years, researchers followed children aged 5 to 7 and noticed a clear pattern: the more extracurricular activities a child took part in, the sharper their verbal memory became.
We have a system called the phonological loop. It has two parts: a short-term sound storage, and an auditory control method – an inner voice that repeats sounds to keep them fresh in our mind.
Different extracurricular activities train it differently. A child who takes piano lessons and learns Spanish has to remember long pieces of music while also keeping new words in mind and linking them to what they already know. Doing both helps their verbal memory grow stronger.
Still, it’s not necessary to load your kid’s life with nonstop extracurriculars. Any activity can boost verbal working memory – as long as it follows these three simple principles.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#VerbalMemory #ExecutiveFunction
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Kids read fewer stories. It’s harder and harder for them to put ideas together clearly. And it’s even harder to keep them engaged in reading… But there’s something much more enjoyable that boosts narrative skills even more.
‼️ Researchers found that kids who engaged in pretend play for 3 months got much better at talking: their sentences made more sense and they could express ideas more completely. Meanwhile, the kids who didn’t play struggled with words and sentences more than ever.
In pretend play, kids simultaneously talk about the game
and inside the game
They have to put events in order, show cause and effect, and explain what their characters want. So, pretend play works wonders for helping them express ideas. Yet, it’s not so useful for their vocabulary and grammar – for a reason.
Rich pretend play asks a lot from kids. Many lose focus fast and can’t keep connected conversations going. This can change with two things.
1️⃣ Adults have to be kids’ true play partners. They can bring in character intonations and poetic language. They can keep the story alive longer, spark more dialogue and introduce twists:
2️⃣ It’s good to build worlds around fairy tales. Such stories capture feelings every child knows: missing someone, being jealous, getting angry, wanting to be brave. Clear ideas such as good versus evil make emotions more intense and easier to share.
Step into their magic world, play for real, and help it unfold – it teaches more than any worksheet ever could.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#NarrativeSkills #PretendPlay
In pretend play, kids simultaneously talk about the game
"You’ll be the doctor, and I’ll be the patient!”
and inside the game
"Doctor, my arm really hurts!”
They have to put events in order, show cause and effect, and explain what their characters want. So, pretend play works wonders for helping them express ideas. Yet, it’s not so useful for their vocabulary and grammar – for a reason.
Rich pretend play asks a lot from kids. Many lose focus fast and can’t keep connected conversations going. This can change with two things.
"Oh no, here comes the dragon – quick, doctor, save the knight!”
"I miss Toto… I wish I could go home”
“I’m not scared—I’m brave! Just wait and see!”They connect through simple feelings, stay in character longer and talk more.
Step into their magic world, play for real, and help it unfold – it teaches more than any worksheet ever could.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#NarrativeSkills #PretendPlay
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Stayin’ alive through grammar struggles
You learn a new word – and poof, it’s gone. You mispronounce things and feel embarrassed. And what’s up with all those exceptions to the rules? Welcome to the reality of language learning. The only way forward is to keep pushing through challenges. But how?
Participate fully in class activities. This helps learners see themselves as capable speakers. But it’s not always easy to keep your motivation when progress feels slow.
🖇 Research says, find a teacher you are truly comfortable with. Someone you trust, respect, and feel understood by. It’s more important than you might think. Learning a language is an emotional journey built on communication, so having a strong student-teacher bond makes all the difference.
When teachers are seen as friendly and understanding, students feel safe to share their struggles. That support makes challenges feel manageable and sparks a sense of purpose, so students become more active in class. And as we discussed – the more students participate in class, the easier it is for them to keep going.
Interactive quizzes and creative tasks can make learning fun. But nothing replaces real human connection. A supportive teacher remains “the most powerful tool” in helping students stay motivated. Even when they have to learn the subjunctive mood or memorize 100 irregular verbs.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#LanguageLearning
You learn a new word – and poof, it’s gone. You mispronounce things and feel embarrassed. And what’s up with all those exceptions to the rules? Welcome to the reality of language learning. The only way forward is to keep pushing through challenges. But how?
Participate fully in class activities. This helps learners see themselves as capable speakers. But it’s not always easy to keep your motivation when progress feels slow.
🖇 Research says, find a teacher you are truly comfortable with. Someone you trust, respect, and feel understood by. It’s more important than you might think. Learning a language is an emotional journey built on communication, so having a strong student-teacher bond makes all the difference.
When teachers are seen as friendly and understanding, students feel safe to share their struggles. That support makes challenges feel manageable and sparks a sense of purpose, so students become more active in class. And as we discussed – the more students participate in class, the easier it is for them to keep going.
Interactive quizzes and creative tasks can make learning fun. But nothing replaces real human connection. A supportive teacher remains “the most powerful tool” in helping students stay motivated. Even when they have to learn the subjunctive mood or memorize 100 irregular verbs.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#LanguageLearning
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Happy teachers make for happy students!
The teacher brings snacks on test day
or reassures a nervous student
Sounds more like a fairy godmother's behavior. But it’s called loving pedagogy – and it works really well for boosting students’ engagement. And what’s more, it helps teachers cope with burnout.
Still, being empathetic, kind, and respectful in the classroom isn’t always easy – it is exhausting work. But research shows, there’s something that makes it easier.
Last time we talked about resilience in language learners – but teachers need it just as much. Those who can handle classroom challenges can nurture emotional connection with students more easily.
One thing that helps teachers keep going through everyday chaos is mindfulness. A mindful teacher notices their emotions and how they affect the classroom. They might pause before reacting to the noisy student or feel the class’s impatience and offer a 5-minute interactive break.
But the biggest boost to loving pedagogy is teacher enjoyment. When educators feel joy in teaching and see students’ appreciation, they handle challenges with ease and naturally return that warmth and kindness to their class.
When you see a caring teacher – chances are, they’re resilient and mindful. But they’re almost certainly enjoying what they do. So, let us hope every teacher feels valued – and that every student takes a moment to show their appreciation!
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#LanguageTeaching #TeacherPsychology
The teacher brings snacks on test day
“A little sugar helps with verb conjugations”
or reassures a nervous student
“We all trip over new words; I did too.”
Sounds more like a fairy godmother's behavior. But it’s called loving pedagogy – and it works really well for boosting students’ engagement. And what’s more, it helps teachers cope with burnout.
Still, being empathetic, kind, and respectful in the classroom isn’t always easy – it is exhausting work. But research shows, there’s something that makes it easier.
Last time we talked about resilience in language learners – but teachers need it just as much. Those who can handle classroom challenges can nurture emotional connection with students more easily.
One thing that helps teachers keep going through everyday chaos is mindfulness. A mindful teacher notices their emotions and how they affect the classroom. They might pause before reacting to the noisy student or feel the class’s impatience and offer a 5-minute interactive break.
But the biggest boost to loving pedagogy is teacher enjoyment. When educators feel joy in teaching and see students’ appreciation, they handle challenges with ease and naturally return that warmth and kindness to their class.
When you see a caring teacher – chances are, they’re resilient and mindful. But they’re almost certainly enjoying what they do. So, let us hope every teacher feels valued – and that every student takes a moment to show their appreciation!
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#LanguageTeaching #TeacherPsychology
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“I’m not ready for a serious relationship. I need to choose myself.”We hear that often, and that’s a valid decision. But sometimes, it’s not a choice but an old childhood defense speaking.
Whether a child feels satisfied mostly depends on how their parents talk – and listen – to each other. It’s about how willing they are to understand one another, and how openly they can resolve conflicts. When parents talk everything through, they teach their kids to listen, find common ground, and stay respectful while standing up for themselves. But when there’s little open communication at home, people often carry that pattern into their own relationships.
There’s one more thing that shapes a child’s sense of comfort at home – it’s how welcoming and open their parents are to guests. Getting ready for visitors, caring about their needs, planning things to do together – all this creates a sense of “we’re in this together.”
So, our ability to build stable relationships stems from what our parents teach us about respecting the needs of others: we learn it by watching how they treat everyone around them. And self care is important but if, after growing up, it becomes our only focus, it may mean something vital has been missing at home.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#YouthValues #FamilyPsychology
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I overthink therefore I lead
📌 Researchers found that those who reflect the most often perform the worst. Too much self-analysis overloads you with nuances and leaves you paralyzed. Imagine a manager who spends 3 hours preparing for a simple one-to-one meeting because they start questioning every aspect of their leadership style.
That’s why those prone to overthinking need anti-reflection techniques: deliberately postponing analysis (reflection moratorium), using read-made mental “schemas” (schematization), ignoring unnecessary details (complexity reduction), and many others. In other words, you have to simplify your thinking so you can act in the moment.
Yet, suppressing reflection too much is not good either. Such people live on autopilot, unable to explain why a decision worked or failed.
As usual, the winners are the ones who strike a balance. For most part, you need just enough anti-reflection to keep you from overthinking. Remember our manager from earlier: by focusing only on the key points, they could have saved 2.5 hours of their time.
So the goal is to know your mind but never get stuck inside it.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#LaborPsychology #Metacognition
“I’m hesitating again. What exactly is stopping me?”Paying attention to how you think can be helpful at work. You notice your patterns – like starting with the easiest task or getting stuck over details – and you can change them or use them to your advantage. But sometimes all you have to do is stop thinking too much.
That’s why those prone to overthinking need anti-reflection techniques: deliberately postponing analysis (reflection moratorium), using read-made mental “schemas” (schematization), ignoring unnecessary details (complexity reduction), and many others. In other words, you have to simplify your thinking so you can act in the moment.
Yet, suppressing reflection too much is not good either. Such people live on autopilot, unable to explain why a decision worked or failed.
As usual, the winners are the ones who strike a balance. For most part, you need just enough anti-reflection to keep you from overthinking. Remember our manager from earlier: by focusing only on the key points, they could have saved 2.5 hours of their time.
So the goal is to know your mind but never get stuck inside it.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#LaborPsychology #Metacognition
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Keep calm and think for yourself
Toys with built-in chatbots, AI reading coaches, apps that kids can talk to when they feel lonely – AI is rewriting what it means to grow up. And it’s affecting even those who never touch it.
📌 Researchers found that, depending on whether they use AI, kids develop differently in at least three ways.
Cognition. Kids who use AI every day can process information faster but this comes at a cost: their critical, creative, and abstract thinking may suffer. For example, they might quickly solve a puzzle but struggle to invent their own story – something kids used to do without difficulty.
Emotions. Kids who often talk to chatbots may find it harder to understand human feelings. AI mimics emotions and blurs the line between real and articifical empathy. A child might get frustrated when a chatbot “doesn’t care,” not realizing it never truly cares at all – and later may get confused about what their real friend feels.
Ethics. When AI systems offer ready-made answers, children can feel less responsible for their decisions and focus on efficiency like algorithms do. For instance, AI might tell a child to pick the fastest teammate to “win quickly,” even if it means excluding a friend who wants to join.
Kids who grow up without AI may keep the emotional nuance, a sense of justice and better creativity. Yet they may feel out of place when all their friends use AI and even school lessons revolve around it. Their slower, deeper way of thinking no longer fits the speed of the world around them.
So children do need to learn how to live with AI – but in a guided way that builds critical thinking and human values. They should move confidently through algorithmic systems and see their limitations. And above all, they must notice when technology is shaping their choices, so they can keep their own voice.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#AIpsychology #DigitalChildhood
Toys with built-in chatbots, AI reading coaches, apps that kids can talk to when they feel lonely – AI is rewriting what it means to grow up. And it’s affecting even those who never touch it.
Cognition. Kids who use AI every day can process information faster but this comes at a cost: their critical, creative, and abstract thinking may suffer. For example, they might quickly solve a puzzle but struggle to invent their own story – something kids used to do without difficulty.
Emotions. Kids who often talk to chatbots may find it harder to understand human feelings. AI mimics emotions and blurs the line between real and articifical empathy. A child might get frustrated when a chatbot “doesn’t care,” not realizing it never truly cares at all – and later may get confused about what their real friend feels.
Ethics. When AI systems offer ready-made answers, children can feel less responsible for their decisions and focus on efficiency like algorithms do. For instance, AI might tell a child to pick the fastest teammate to “win quickly,” even if it means excluding a friend who wants to join.
Kids who grow up without AI may keep the emotional nuance, a sense of justice and better creativity. Yet they may feel out of place when all their friends use AI and even school lessons revolve around it. Their slower, deeper way of thinking no longer fits the speed of the world around them.
So children do need to learn how to live with AI – but in a guided way that builds critical thinking and human values. They should move confidently through algorithmic systems and see their limitations. And above all, they must notice when technology is shaping their choices, so they can keep their own voice.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#AIpsychology #DigitalChildhood
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“I’m excited to make new friends, but nervous because I don’t know the teacher,”
– imagine a 6-year-old saying that. Sounds almost beyond their years, right? But it’s just high emotional comprehension in action.
They also need inhibition – ability to pause before responding. For girls, it’s mainly control over movements; for boys – control over thoughts. Boys’ play is often active and physical, girls’ is more verbal and rule-based. When kids practice skills outside their usual play, they face new situations and more chances to learn about emotions.
Cognitive flexibility is another key – it lets children keep in mind other people’s perspective, and they learn to follow rules:
“I want to go first, but you’ve been waiting longer, so go on”.
Yet sometimes, children with strong cognitive flexibility still struggle with emotional understanding – it happens when they mostly do solo activities such as painting or reading. So, there’s a piece of a puzzle missing.
Motor competence – being physically skilled and coordinated – opens the door to active play. And it turns out to be crucial for girls. Young girls’ play is often less physically active, so those with strong motor skills can join more activities and get more chances to see, feel, and understand new emotions.
Kids don’t learn emotions by watching – they learn by doing. Move more, play together, give them chances to explore – every new experience is an opportunity for them to grow emotionally and thrive in the world!
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#EmotionalComprehension
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Alone together
As we move online, we misunderstand each other more often. Say, a message that seems “cold” in chat might sound perfectly fine face-to-face. But spending lots of time online isn’t necessarily harmful. The issue begins when it replaces real-life bonds.
Researchers found that 58% of teens are heavily dependent on social media and digital tools. The problem here is that they are more lonely than ever.
Social media seems like a perfect place to easily connect with people. Yet most online chats lead to a couple of exchanged memes or a conversation that dies mid-sentence. As a result, teens never feel truly connected, and their social skills do not get enough practice, making real-life conversations even more uncomfortable.
The trick here is that these shallow interactions give a quick hit of comfort. Our brains love anything that brings instant relief, so people end up repeating the behavior.
One reason is that heavy online use makes teens less willing to take initiative. In virtual spaces, social hierarchies matter less, and they don’t need to take charge to get attention. In fact, they start caring less about social approval. This can help them become more independent, but it also makes it harder to build trusting relationships, leading to emotional isolation.
Social media isn’t bad – it’s how we stay connected today. Problems arise when it becomes the only way to connect. Teens need to think critically about their screen time and understand how it affects their relationships. And by the way, if family becomes the main source of support, it can make all the difference teens need!
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#CyberAddiction #TeenPsychology
As we move online, we misunderstand each other more often. Say, a message that seems “cold” in chat might sound perfectly fine face-to-face. But spending lots of time online isn’t necessarily harmful. The issue begins when it replaces real-life bonds.
Researchers found that 58% of teens are heavily dependent on social media and digital tools. The problem here is that they are more lonely than ever.
Social media seems like a perfect place to easily connect with people. Yet most online chats lead to a couple of exchanged memes or a conversation that dies mid-sentence. As a result, teens never feel truly connected, and their social skills do not get enough practice, making real-life conversations even more uncomfortable.
The trick here is that these shallow interactions give a quick hit of comfort. Our brains love anything that brings instant relief, so people end up repeating the behavior.
But why do online connections stay shallow – if everyone involved is looking for something meaningful?
One reason is that heavy online use makes teens less willing to take initiative. In virtual spaces, social hierarchies matter less, and they don’t need to take charge to get attention. In fact, they start caring less about social approval. This can help them become more independent, but it also makes it harder to build trusting relationships, leading to emotional isolation.
Social media isn’t bad – it’s how we stay connected today. Problems arise when it becomes the only way to connect. Teens need to think critically about their screen time and understand how it affects their relationships. And by the way, if family becomes the main source of support, it can make all the difference teens need!
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#CyberAddiction #TeenPsychology
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"AI is stealing my job!”
“If I rely on it too much, I’ll forget how to think!”
“I’m not sure where my value lies anymore...”
… and the list of worries keeps growing. We can’t ignore AI but with the right mindset we can make it a help, not a threat.
Imagine a centaur: the mind of the human paired with the strength of the horse is capable of feats neither could manage alone. Now replace the horse with AI — and you get someone who’s enhanced by massive data and computational abilities but is still fully in charge of their decisions. That’s what they call digital centaur.
In short, staying in control of AI mostly means staying curious and mindful, so that technology amplifies what we can do without replacing who we are. And it all starts with our own ability to know who we are.
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#DigitalCentaur #AI
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When life gets heavy, put the phone down
Many people spend hours on social media — but for teenagers it often turns into a real addiction, when they get the constant urge to check their profiles. And the reason goes deeper than just the desire to stay connected with peers.
Research found that teens who overuse social media have one thing in common — they have trouble managing their emotions. They blame themselves, imagine the worst and overthink. It’s easy for teenagers to fall down this spiral because their personality is only taking shape: they have fragile self-esteem, care a lot about what others think, and haven’t yet learned healthy ways to handle stress.
Social media can become an easy escape from negative feelings. A teenager drowning in self-criticism and bad thoughts will get stuck scrolling their feed just to avoid overwhelming emotions. Moreover, every like or comment makes those with unstable self-esteem feel a little better — at least for a moment.
Bad news is, in the long run it doesn’t help — it actually makes stress worse. Too much time on social media leaves you overwhelmed from all the information you consumed, isolated because you haven’t spent time with friends, and generally less happy. On top of that, social media makes it easy to start comparing yourself to others.
The good news is, teenagers who learn to find something positive in any difficult situation are less likely to turn to social media to cope with their emotions. Say, if a teen is left out of a group, they could see it as a chance to reach out to someone new they always wanted to talk to — and now there’s no need to escape the hurt, because it doesn’t hurt that much.
After all, we all have a choice in how we react — where we focus our attention and how we interpret what’s happening. Seeing the silver lining in every cloud is a skill to be learned, just like any other.
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#SocialMediaAddiction #EmotionalRegulation #TeenPsychology
Many people spend hours on social media — but for teenagers it often turns into a real addiction, when they get the constant urge to check their profiles. And the reason goes deeper than just the desire to stay connected with peers.
Research found that teens who overuse social media have one thing in common — they have trouble managing their emotions. They blame themselves, imagine the worst and overthink. It’s easy for teenagers to fall down this spiral because their personality is only taking shape: they have fragile self-esteem, care a lot about what others think, and haven’t yet learned healthy ways to handle stress.
Social media can become an easy escape from negative feelings. A teenager drowning in self-criticism and bad thoughts will get stuck scrolling their feed just to avoid overwhelming emotions. Moreover, every like or comment makes those with unstable self-esteem feel a little better — at least for a moment.
Bad news is, in the long run it doesn’t help — it actually makes stress worse. Too much time on social media leaves you overwhelmed from all the information you consumed, isolated because you haven’t spent time with friends, and generally less happy. On top of that, social media makes it easy to start comparing yourself to others.
The good news is, teenagers who learn to find something positive in any difficult situation are less likely to turn to social media to cope with their emotions. Say, if a teen is left out of a group, they could see it as a chance to reach out to someone new they always wanted to talk to — and now there’s no need to escape the hurt, because it doesn’t hurt that much.
After all, we all have a choice in how we react — where we focus our attention and how we interpret what’s happening. Seeing the silver lining in every cloud is a skill to be learned, just like any other.
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#SocialMediaAddiction #EmotionalRegulation #TeenPsychology
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Curiosity beats grades
It used to be about googling or looking for ready answers to the student's book. One thing stays: many school children chase good grades to avoid punishment from parents. Or they try to learn everything by heart — often without understanding it. In both cases, they don’t really study. But that’s in the traditional system of education.
📌 Research found that in the Waldorf education system kids are much more motivated. In this system, the curriculum follows the natural stages of child development — for example, between the ages of 7 and 14 it focuses on emotions and imagination — and there are no grades in the primary and middle school. So, it’s more focused on personality development than on just knowledge transition.
And it works: kids who study by these rules want to succeed in what truly matters to them, to feel capable, or simply to learn for the joy of learning, and that’s 4th–5th graders! Because the system respects age-related needs and avoids grading or comparison, children feel that they take on tasks willingly, driven by their own interest rather than outside pressure. And it brings another benefit.
When we face a new task, we can go down one of two paths: we either freeze and do nothing — it’s risky, someone else will do it better — or we start experimenting: we try something new, see what happens, and adjust until it works. Children in grade-free education systems like Waldorf or Elkonin–Davydov are far more likely to choose the second path. They’ll jump into an unfamiliar project or create a skit for a school performance because they don’t fear mistakes.
To help our children be interested in the mysteries of the world outside is not a challenge if we give them more freedom to make choices. And we hope that the upcoming holiday night sparks that same sense of wonder for everyone. Wishing you a wonderful New Year!🎆
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#ChildrenEducation
I’ll ask ChatGPT to answer the question — I don’t want to study this but if I get it wrong, I’ll get an F.
It used to be about googling or looking for ready answers to the student's book. One thing stays: many school children chase good grades to avoid punishment from parents. Or they try to learn everything by heart — often without understanding it. In both cases, they don’t really study. But that’s in the traditional system of education.
And it works: kids who study by these rules want to succeed in what truly matters to them, to feel capable, or simply to learn for the joy of learning, and that’s 4th–5th graders! Because the system respects age-related needs and avoids grading or comparison, children feel that they take on tasks willingly, driven by their own interest rather than outside pressure. And it brings another benefit.
When we face a new task, we can go down one of two paths: we either freeze and do nothing — it’s risky, someone else will do it better — or we start experimenting: we try something new, see what happens, and adjust until it works. Children in grade-free education systems like Waldorf or Elkonin–Davydov are far more likely to choose the second path. They’ll jump into an unfamiliar project or create a skit for a school performance because they don’t fear mistakes.
To help our children be interested in the mysteries of the world outside is not a challenge if we give them more freedom to make choices. And we hope that the upcoming holiday night sparks that same sense of wonder for everyone. Wishing you a wonderful New Year!
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#ChildrenEducation
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We don't need no "have-to" learning
A student sits at their desk late at night. They’ve spent more time on homework this week than most of their peers around the world. Yet their grades haven’t improved — instead, homework just made them hate school. Sadly, that’s the reality of many Russian schoolers. But can parents change that?
➡️ Research says that how parents guide children through homework can define how motivated students feel years later in high school. A parent who asks,
or explains why an assignment matters sends a very different message than one who induces guilt and uses threats guilt —
The first approach is called autonomy support: offering limited choices, explaining the reasons for demands, and accepting the child’s feelings. And as study showed, this builds genuine motivation, the kind that leads to persistence and less cheating. It's because kids feel in charge, and learn to see homework as their work, meaningful and interesting, instead of a task imposed from the outside.
The controlling parenting has the opposite effect: when children work only to avoid punishment or disapproval, they give up more easily. It also drives the introjected motivation: kids do homework not out of interest but to avoid the inner feeling of guilt. And, surprisingly, this does lead to higher grades too. Perhaps, growing up with strict parents, kids get used to this pressure and learn how to work within it.
There’s another paradox, and it's about girls. Although they often outperform boys at school, they are more likely to feel that their parents give them less freedom. They report more cheating and guilt-driven motivation. Perhaps, higher achievement brings higher expectations: parents monitor girls more closely and demand more from them.
So maybe grades aren’t the best measure of real learning success. What truly matters is whether students are genuinely motivated, and for this they need to feel in control of their work. That’s how they can grow to discover their true passions.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#AutonomySupport #HomeworkMotivation
A student sits at their desk late at night. They’ve spent more time on homework this week than most of their peers around the world. Yet their grades haven’t improved — instead, homework just made them hate school. Sadly, that’s the reality of many Russian schoolers. But can parents change that?
Do you want to start with math or literature?
or explains why an assignment matters sends a very different message than one who induces guilt and uses threats guilt —
Finish this or else.
The first approach is called autonomy support: offering limited choices, explaining the reasons for demands, and accepting the child’s feelings. And as study showed, this builds genuine motivation, the kind that leads to persistence and less cheating. It's because kids feel in charge, and learn to see homework as their work, meaningful and interesting, instead of a task imposed from the outside.
The controlling parenting has the opposite effect: when children work only to avoid punishment or disapproval, they give up more easily. It also drives the introjected motivation: kids do homework not out of interest but to avoid the inner feeling of guilt. And, surprisingly, this does lead to higher grades too. Perhaps, growing up with strict parents, kids get used to this pressure and learn how to work within it.
There’s another paradox, and it's about girls. Although they often outperform boys at school, they are more likely to feel that their parents give them less freedom. They report more cheating and guilt-driven motivation. Perhaps, higher achievement brings higher expectations: parents monitor girls more closely and demand more from them.
So maybe grades aren’t the best measure of real learning success. What truly matters is whether students are genuinely motivated, and for this they need to feel in control of their work. That’s how they can grow to discover their true passions.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#AutonomySupport #HomeworkMotivation
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Look at your classmate! Why can’t you be like them?
Don’t worry about others — you can skip school today!
Parents raise kids in very different ways. So, is it freedom and total emotional support, or strict rules that prepare the kid for a competitive world — which one’s better for the kid?
And yet, when strict, authoritarian control comes specifically from mothers, it causes higher stress in both girls and boys. Mostly because it fuels constant comparison with others — especially for children who feel they can’t live up to these expectations. And all they think is:
I’ll never be enough.
The opposite approach is permissive parenting: emotional warmth but few demands. It was linked to better academic performance in girls: they benefit a lot from emotional support. But there’s a catch: when too much freedom comes from fathers, it again increases stress in both boys and girls. Without clear boundaries, children struggle to build internal standards for self-evaluation, and rely more on comparison with others.
The good news is that balance exists: authoritative (democratic) parenting implies clear rules, emotional warmth, respect for independence, and open dialogue — and this approach is especially important for mothers.
In this environment, girls feel heard and supported. Boys, meanwhile, show stronger academic performance: open communication helps them compare themselves to others in a healthy way only. Instead of
Why can’t you be like them?
the message sounds more like
You see how your classmate studies? What do you think works for them, and how could you try it your own way?
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#Parenting #ParentingStyles
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You open an app for a second and lose an hour. And it’s only getting worse, as apps include short videos, online shops, mini games, all in one place.
Application addiction is different from just spending too much time on screens. Apps are designed to pull you in, affect your mood, and make you want more — because of constant feedback.
If even adults fall into this trap, what chance do teenagers have? More importantly: why doesn’t simply limiting screen time help — and what actually does?
Research shows that teens are more likely to overuse apps when they feel that their lives are unpredictable and overwhelming — which happens, in fact, most of the time during puberty. And there’re reasons why apps become their coping strategy:
▶️ short-videos are offered by algorithms to engage users emotionally, becoming a huge distraction from stress
⭐️ social media helps people deal with loneliness and low self-esteem by offering likes and comments as a temporary relief
👉 mobile games give a feeling of control and achievement, serving as an escape from stressful reality.
Yet the feeling that life is overwhelming is not exactly the reason for smartphone overuse. The real problem starts when this feeling turns into emotional distress — anxiety, low mood, and a sense of helplessness. It is this that pushes teens toward excessive smartphone use as a way to cope.
Life is full of stressful events but it doesn’t have to lead to anxiety and the need for constant scrolling. Skills like self-control help teens pause and choose how they respond — for example, they might take a breath and realize that going for a walk or talking to someone will help more. Add a belief in their ability to handle challenges — and stress becomes much easier to manage.
And remember: just trying to cut screen time rarely works. What really helps is spotting the triggers that keep you hooked — like checking your feed every time you get a notification or scrolling through an online shop when you’re bored. Realizing that can help you break the cycle.
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#SocialMediaAddiction #SocialMedia
Application addiction is different from just spending too much time on screens. Apps are designed to pull you in, affect your mood, and make you want more — because of constant feedback.
If even adults fall into this trap, what chance do teenagers have? More importantly: why doesn’t simply limiting screen time help — and what actually does?
Research shows that teens are more likely to overuse apps when they feel that their lives are unpredictable and overwhelming — which happens, in fact, most of the time during puberty. And there’re reasons why apps become their coping strategy:
Yet the feeling that life is overwhelming is not exactly the reason for smartphone overuse. The real problem starts when this feeling turns into emotional distress — anxiety, low mood, and a sense of helplessness. It is this that pushes teens toward excessive smartphone use as a way to cope.
Life is full of stressful events but it doesn’t have to lead to anxiety and the need for constant scrolling. Skills like self-control help teens pause and choose how they respond — for example, they might take a breath and realize that going for a walk or talking to someone will help more. Add a belief in their ability to handle challenges — and stress becomes much easier to manage.
And remember: just trying to cut screen time rarely works. What really helps is spotting the triggers that keep you hooked — like checking your feed every time you get a notification or scrolling through an online shop when you’re bored. Realizing that can help you break the cycle.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#SocialMediaAddiction #SocialMedia
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Love Settings: Installed by Parents?
What shapes our love stories? Why do some of us keep worrying (anxious attachment), while others keep their distance (dismissing attachment)? Some both want and fear closeness, while others feel secure about their partner no matter what…
Much of it starts with our early relationships with parents, when we get our picture of what “family” means: how much attention to give to your closest ones, how to react to their mistakes and their feelings, and what to expect in return.
You probably heard:
But research says this is true for both men and women. The mother is usually the first and most important relationship model. So the bigger the gap between how a partner behaves and how the mother figure felt in childhood — warm vs distant, predictable vs inconsistent — the more instability there is: men more often react with emotional distance, while women can feel both distance and anxiety.
Some patterns stay with us, regardless of who our partner is. If the mother was emotionally distant, the woman may grow up feeling more anxious in relationships. Girls build their sense of femininity by identifying with their mother, so when that bond is denied, it leads to self-doubt — they would constantly look for proof that they are loved and blame themselves for every little problem in relationships.
Fathers have their say too. Like mother, a cold father for women leads to higher anxiety, while a warm and supportive one builds a sense of safety and makes communication with men easier later on. For men, a calm but unpredictable father leads to higher avoidance. When a parent feels detached and hard to understand it makes closeness feel unsafe, so a child learns to rely only on themselves.
For people with anxiety or avoidance relationships are stressful and emotionally draining. What they actually experience often looks nothing like their “ideal family” — and every miscommunication only confirms their fears. And still, everything may change — as they recognize their patterns, connect with a supportive partner, and just give it some time.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#RomanticAttachment
What shapes our love stories? Why do some of us keep worrying (anxious attachment), while others keep their distance (dismissing attachment)? Some both want and fear closeness, while others feel secure about their partner no matter what…
Much of it starts with our early relationships with parents, when we get our picture of what “family” means: how much attention to give to your closest ones, how to react to their mistakes and their feelings, and what to expect in return.
You probably heard:
Men choose partners who remind them of their mothers.
But research says this is true for both men and women. The mother is usually the first and most important relationship model. So the bigger the gap between how a partner behaves and how the mother figure felt in childhood — warm vs distant, predictable vs inconsistent — the more instability there is: men more often react with emotional distance, while women can feel both distance and anxiety.
Some patterns stay with us, regardless of who our partner is. If the mother was emotionally distant, the woman may grow up feeling more anxious in relationships. Girls build their sense of femininity by identifying with their mother, so when that bond is denied, it leads to self-doubt — they would constantly look for proof that they are loved and blame themselves for every little problem in relationships.
Fathers have their say too. Like mother, a cold father for women leads to higher anxiety, while a warm and supportive one builds a sense of safety and makes communication with men easier later on. For men, a calm but unpredictable father leads to higher avoidance. When a parent feels detached and hard to understand it makes closeness feel unsafe, so a child learns to rely only on themselves.
For people with anxiety or avoidance relationships are stressful and emotionally draining. What they actually experience often looks nothing like their “ideal family” — and every miscommunication only confirms their fears. And still, everything may change — as they recognize their patterns, connect with a supportive partner, and just give it some time.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#RomanticAttachment
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A teenager has been staring at their new post for over an hour… And it still has only three likes.
The longer they stare, the more flaws they see in that selfie.
It’s often said that teens who struggle to recognize and manage their emotions are more likely to fall into unhealthy social media habits. But is it really the case? And what actually helps them handle worries about the looks in the times of endless comparison online?
Research says that some teens who have difficulties dealing with emotions do overuse social media — but so do some with strong emotional skills. So, even if they’re emotionally aware and self-controlled, they’re not automatically safe from social media addiction.
Neither does it protect teens from appearance pressure online. No matter who they are — boys or girls, heavy users or casual scrollers, emotionally developed or not — many still are hyper-aware of how attractive they seem to others on social media.
Emotional intelligence may help teens deal with the feelings triggered by seeing “perfect” people online but doesn’t change how strongly they absorb the beauty standards. In fact, it can make them even more focused on how they present themselves on the Internet.
So, what really helps teens handle all this pressure?
Surprisingly, the answer isparents . When they are actively involved — helping teens question “perfect” images or supporting them after harsh online comments — teens worry less about how they are perceived online. This way they build critical thinking and stop taking everything they see online at face value.
Yet, this kind of support is of most help to girls — boys see it less often and it doesn’t seem to be as beneficial to them, so they might need a different kind of guidance. But one thing we know for sure is it’s never about strict rules or constant monitoring. It’s the quality of parental support, rather than its intensity, that makes a difference.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#SocialMediaAddiction #EmotionalIntelligence
Is there something wrong with how I look?
The longer they stare, the more flaws they see in that selfie.
It’s often said that teens who struggle to recognize and manage their emotions are more likely to fall into unhealthy social media habits. But is it really the case? And what actually helps them handle worries about the looks in the times of endless comparison online?
Research says that some teens who have difficulties dealing with emotions do overuse social media — but so do some with strong emotional skills. So, even if they’re emotionally aware and self-controlled, they’re not automatically safe from social media addiction.
Neither does it protect teens from appearance pressure online. No matter who they are — boys or girls, heavy users or casual scrollers, emotionally developed or not — many still are hyper-aware of how attractive they seem to others on social media.
Emotional intelligence may help teens deal with the feelings triggered by seeing “perfect” people online but doesn’t change how strongly they absorb the beauty standards. In fact, it can make them even more focused on how they present themselves on the Internet.
So, what really helps teens handle all this pressure?
Surprisingly, the answer is
Yet, this kind of support is of most help to girls — boys see it less often and it doesn’t seem to be as beneficial to them, so they might need a different kind of guidance. But one thing we know for sure is it’s never about strict rules or constant monitoring. It’s the quality of parental support, rather than its intensity, that makes a difference.
Join us to explore the human mind together!
#SocialMediaAddiction #EmotionalIntelligence
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