Active Parenting Publishers

Innovators of video-based education programs. Committed to supporting families through every stage, every step of their child’s development. Dedicated to preparing parent educators for every stage, every step of the way.

Active Parenting Publishers (APP) was founded in 1980 by Dr. Michael H. Popkin, a former child and family therapist and Coordinator of Child and Family Services for Northside Community Mental Health Centers in Atlanta, Georgia. The goal in founding APP was to apply state-of-the-art educational technology to the field of parenting education. The APP model is largely based upon the theories of Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs as it relates to an “authoritative approach” to parenting as opposed to an “autocratic or permissive” approach. The first three years of the company were devoted to research and development, as Dr. Popkin’s vision of integrating video and group discussion into advanced education programs evolved. In June 1983, APP incorporated and introduced the Active Parenting Discussion Program (APDP), the world’s first video-based parenting education program. Delivered in just six 2-hour sessions, the program was highly successful. Following the success of APDP, APP went on to produce numerous video-based parenting curriculums, including those for families with young children, teens, and stepchildren, among others, in both English and Spanish language versions. In 2000, APP continued its pioneering tradition by launching the world’s first video-based online parenting class, Active Parenting Today Online Groups. This program combines video, reading, and group discussion—all administered online. APP products are distributed throughout the US as well as worldwide, including Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, and Sweden. APP also conducts Leader Training Workshops and Trainings of Trainers throughout the country to teach professionals and volunteers how to lead a group using the APP programs. Leader training is available all over the world via live classes, live webinars, and online leader training workshops. Today, APP continues to operate out of Marietta, Georgia, a town just northwest of Atlanta, providing quality education programs for parents, children, and teachers to schools, hospitals, social services organizations, churches, and the corporate market.

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