Connecticut Children's Blog

Resilience is the ability to overcome serious stress or difficulty, and bounce back stronger than ever. In this series, Connecticut Children’s pediatric experts share keys to resilience. Just like adults, it’s easy for kids to get lost in troubling thoughts, and overwhelmed by the physical sensations that accompany stress. But kids can learn to calm themselves […]

In times of crisis, the world has often turned to sports for comfort and camaraderie. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, sports have been severely restricted for the greater good of public safety, and everyone from coaches to fans are feeling the effects. Millions of young athletes have lost not only their opportunities to compete, but […]

By: Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC, and Robert D. Keder, MD Educating children at home is a challenge for most parents. It can be even more overwhelming for parents of children with special needs, who are navigating distance learning without the supports their child typically receives in a school setting. Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, a speech and language […]

As the days and weeks now turn into more than a month of social distancing, you may be running out of ideas to keep your children busy during the long days at home. You are not alone. But don’t worry! We have plenty of out-of-the-box suggestions you might want to try to put excitement back […]

Editor’s Note: Hannah is a 13-year-old patient at Connecticut Children’s. Here she shares the story of her diagnosis. There are lots of moments in your life that you remember. Some can be good, some can be bad. This moment happens to be one I’ll never forget. I’m Hannah Forstell, and I am going to tell […]

By: Dana Brunell Eisenberg, MA, MSN, APRN Resilience is the ability to overcome serious stress or difficulty, and bounce back stronger than ever. In this series, Connecticut Children’s pediatric experts share keys to resilience, and tips to help your child be resilient during the coronavirus pandemic. When children trust in their ability to master new […]

By Lauren K. Ayr-Volta, PhD, and Kelly Maynes, PsyD By now, you may have read our advice for helping your child manage stress. Some of those strategies take time and practice. Others, like creating a coping toolbox, can be accomplished in an afternoon. Coping toolboxes use all five senses to reduce anxiety and boost positive […]

By: Garry Lapidus, PA-C, MPH, and Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA During this time of coronavirus, the “new normal” for many families includes a heightened level of stress – from fears of illness to financial challenges to new childcare and distance learning demands. Sound familiar? For help managing stress – your child’s, and your own […]

#chalk4childrens is a campaign for kids of all ages to help us show support for Connecticut Children’s team members and all healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are asking everyone to share their chalk drawings and messages of thanks with us as a source of inspiration! The best thing is that it’s easy to […]

By Kelly Maynes, PsyD, and Lauren K. Ayr-Volta, PhD Kids are resilient and can bounce back stronger than ever from tough times. In this series, Connecticut Children’s pediatric experts share keys to resilience, and tips to help your child be resilient during the coronavirus pandemic. Even when they’re sad, stressed or frustrated, kids can learn […]