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4 Kid-Friendly Spring Recipes and Tips from a Pediatric Nutritionist By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: It doesn't have to be an uphill battle to get children to try new things or step out of their comfort zone when it comes to food. Making food a positive experience can go a long way and making new recipes that are exciting and fun can be a great place to start- even for the

Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Is Now Authorized for Ages 12 and Up. Here’s What Parents Need to Know By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: This post was last updated November 4, 2021. In June 2021, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12 to 15. Connecticut Children’s Physician-in-Chief Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, answers common questions about

4 Warning Signs to Recognize Teen Dating Violence By Susan DiVietro, PhD: Teen dating should be a time of growth and joy, but for some, it becomes a source of fear and harm. Recognizing the warning signs is crucial in protecting teens from unhealthy relationships. Connecticut Children's Office for Community Child Health, home to the Injury Prevention

When and How to Talk to Young Kids About Sex By Andrew Carlson, MD: “Hey, Alexa, how are babies made?” Kids as young as 3 or 4 have turned to voice assistants to ask this question. Just like that. It’s no surprise because sex is a normal part of life, not “taboo” or “dirty.” As a pediatrician, parents ask me all the time: “When and how should I

An Auspicious Convergence Of Roles By Paul Dworkin, MD: By: Paul Dworkin, MD I am honored to recently be elected chair of the board of directors of the Urban League of Greater Hartford (ULGH), a proud affiliate of the National Urban League (NUL). I have been a member of the board since 2012 and am now excited to take the lead in

6 Easy, Healthy Recipes You Can Make With Your Kids By Jennifer Zarrilli, MS, RD: If you’re looking for a fun activity with kids that doubles as a healthy habit, your kitchen is a great place to start. Making healthy recipes together is a way to get your child excited about nutrition, teach them important skills and share quality time – all while preparing a

7 Things To Do When Your Child Doesn’t Want to Go Back to School By Bradley S. Jerson, PhD: This article was originally published in July 2021, updated in December 2023 and again as of August 11, 2025. If your child is dreading going back to school this fall, or is having a series of "off" days about going to school at all, how can you help? Connecticut Children’s

6 Must-Know Water Safety Tips for Parents By Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA: We all want our children to have a fun, memorable and active summer. Water play is a major part of making summer memories and many kids are eager to splash around, swim or attend pool or beach parties. However, we need to be mindful that water can be dangerous and children

The Pressure to Win: Sports and Your Child’s Mental Health By Kelly Ann Maynes, PsyD: This article was originally published in July 2022 and was last updated in April 2025. In recent years, athletes have come forward to talk about the importance of mental health, along with the impact of sports and competition. Lots of young athletes can relate. A sport can all

Partnering for Family Support: Connecticut Newborn Screening Network and Alexion Charitable Foundation By Debra Ellis, NBS, RN: The Connecticut Newborn Screening Network (the Network), a program within the Office for Community Child Health , provides crucial support to families of infants who receive out-of-range newborn screening (NBS) results. Our goal is to ensure that every family—regardless of their

Healthy Housing: Moving the Needle from Intervention to Prevention By: Marcus Smith, MBA and Jacquelyn M. Rose, MPH This is the third in a series of four blog posts that we plan to publish during Healthy Homes Month that explores how organizations can leverage housing innovations as a platform to help children to flourish, thrive, and succeed

The Power of Practice Change By Jacquelyn Rose, MPH: How many of us have participated in a training only to forget what we learned shortly thereafter? It’s not just you—we all have a mountain of knowledge collecting dust somewhere in our brains. Childhood Prosperity Lab (the Lab) leverages the science of adult learning theory to

Staying Warm, Well, and Supported: Winter Resources for the North Hartford Promise Zone The winter and holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and community—but it can also come with added stress and unexpected needs. This season reminds us how important it is to lean on one another and the resources that help our community thrive. Just as

Dr. Shannon Blemings: Advancing Pediatrics and Advocacy Through REACH Shannon Blemings, MD, a second-year pediatrics resident at Connecticut Children's, embodies a dedication to child health and community advocacy that has been shaped by her experiences growing up in New Haven, Connecticut. With a strong academic foundation in Physiology and

Grow Brave: Kelly’s Remarkable Recovery From a Rare Bone Cancer It started like every other family dinner. Kelly sat around the table with her parents, grandparents, and two older siblings. They each talked about their days. Kelly, who was 10 at the time, mentioned that she felt an odd pain in her left leg. Her parents assumed it was growing