Whether for a COVID-19 vaccine or any other reason, there are a few tried-and-true ways to prepare your child for a doctor’s visit: Talk about it ahead of time. Pretend through play. Practice calming exercises. Best of all? Bring a few comfort items! (Your child will love this step.) Put your child in charge of […]

Pfizer-BioNTech recently announced that its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and highly effective for children aged 5 to 11, the next group in line for the shot. (Ages 12 and up are already eligible.) The company shared its clinical trial data with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), kicking off a review process that could move quickly. To […]

September marks the beginning of autumn, painting trees in bright reds and oranges with bright blue and sunny skies. That makes it the perfect time for families to break out their walking shoes, because it’s a scientific fact that beautiful scenery can boost feel-good hormones!  September is also National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. This focus […]

Costumes, community, fresh air – there are lots of reasons to love trick-or-treating at Halloween. But amid the spread of the Delta variant, and kids under 12 not yet eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, it’s complicated. Yes, outdoor activities are much safer than indoors, but traditional trick-or-treating still includes large groups of children, and the […]

With the Delta variant continuing to spread, and children younger than 12 still waiting on a COVID-19 vaccine, the holidays are once again up in the air – especially for families with unvaccinated kids. Still, we know your family may want to plan ahead for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Connecticut Children’s Physician-in-Chief Juan C. […]

Daylight Saving Time ends the first Sunday of November in most states, including Connecticut. That means on Nov. 7, 2021, clocks “fall back” an hour: Instead of 2 am, it’ll be 1 am. That extra hour can cause problems around bedtime (even if your child already has a great bedtime routine) because they will not […]

If you’re getting out of town for the holidays this year, there’s a good chance it’s in the family car. Road trips have become even more popular for families during COVID-19, since driving is less risky than mingling with crowds in airports or on public transportation. The trick is keeping your child occupied for all […]

From September 15 to October 15, the U.S. celebrates the cultures and contributions of Americans who identify as Hispanic or Latinx. National Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to teach kids about the histories and traditions behind these cultures, try new traditions, and reflect on the important role they play in our nation today. […]

A week after baby Kikiolaoluwa was born, her doctors in Nigeria found a hole in her heart. At first, they told Kiki’s parents – mom Moninuola and dad Oladapo – to wait and see if the hole closed on its own. But several months later, everything was worse. Kiki was losing weight. She was often […]

By: Elaine Wang, MD Elaine Wang, MD, is a pediatric resident at Connecticut Children’s and a proud advocate for children. In honor of Connecticut Children’s Family Advocacy Week, she shares ways to connect with local lawmakers, and stand up for children’s health issues. 8 Ways to Connect With Lawmakers Legislators are elected to represent your […]

Fredrik was two months old when he started struggling to keep down food. No matter what parents Marie and Josh Pinheiro tried, “he was spitting up and vomiting at all hours of the day,” says Marie. “Nothing helped.” Two months later, the wheezing and coughing started. At an age when he should have steadily put […]

Amid all the concern about COVID-19 and the Delta variant, you may have heard about another virus on the rise in the United States: RSV. On one hand, RSV is nothing new. If your child is over the age of 2, they’ve probably had it at least once. As an adult, you might get sick […]

Listening to music and dancing are among little Laniece’s favorite activities. At 2.5 years old, the East Hartford toddler enjoys moving to the beat of her favorite songs at any opportunity. When mom Christina Smith learned about a Zumbini class for children her daughter’s age, she immediately signed up. What is Zumbini? Inspired by the […]

By: Stacy Chandna, MS, CIP With the end of summer upon us, it’s time for the 100-meter dash to gather all the supplies your child needs for back to school. That includes the ever-important, but sometimes elusive, snack plan. Healthy snacks are a great way to keep your kids energized and boost their essential nutrient […]

By: Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC-SLP CCRP This school year will have its fair share of challenges, both old and new. One that’s a little bit of both? Quarantines. This year, quarantines due to COVID-19 will almost certainly be part of the school experience again. But this time, many schools may have just a handful of […]

Good sleep is essential for a good school year: During the day, a well-rested child has an easier time focusing and behaving. At night, quality sleep allows their brain to organize and store everything they learned. But your child’s sleep schedule probably hasn’t been at its best during summer vacation. After months of sleeping in […]

One day, when Danny Sullivan was 8 years old, he began to feel very tired. Everyone thought it was allergies, maybe, or a growth spurt. He’d always been a healthy kid, with nothing more than the occasional cold. But this time, it got worse. Suddenly, he could barely stand up. His father had to carry […]

By Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC-SLP CCRP Kids with autism and other special needs can have a tough time getting used to new routines, people and places. And of course, a new school year includes all of the above. This year, your child may need extra help with transitions. After all, they aren’t just adjusting to […]

UPDATE: Pfizer recently asked the FDA to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5 to 11! Learn more. With the highly contagious Delta variant taking hold in communities across the country, and a new school year on the horizon, parents are eager for kids of all ages to have the protection of a COVID-19 vaccine. […]