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How to Support Your Child Through Challenging Behaviors (From Birth to Pre-Teen) By Amy Adolfo Signore, PhD, MPH: This guide from Connecticut Children’s Amy Signore, pediatric psychologist, and Sasha Conley, PsyD student, breaks down easy, effective ways to help your child grow, listen, and feel loved—whether they’re a baby or a pre-teen.
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From the Goal Box to Great Health: Elijah’s Story When 11-year-old Elijah steps onto the soccer field at the Farmington Sports Arena (FSA), his eyes light up. This past year, his hard work earned him a coveted spot on the boys FSA Football Club in the Elite Club National League (ECNL). This is a team you can’t simply “sign up”
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A Coordinated Approach to Childhood Asthma in the North Hartford Promise Zone In Hartford’s Promise Zone, programs like Easy Breathing for Schools and North Hartford Ascend are transforming how asthma care and child development support are delivered to students across the community. These initiatives show how targeted, school- and community-based efforts
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Tricks, Treats & Safety: Your Go-To Halloween Tips Halloween is a thrilling time for kids, filled with costumes, candy, and spooky fun. However, it’s essential to keep safety in mind to ensure that the festivities are enjoyable for everyone. Here are some important tips from Safe Kids CT and our Injury Prevention Center for
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Fevers in Children: When to Worry and When to Stay Calm By Saima N. Jafri, DO: This article was originally published in 2022 and last updated in October 2025 for relevance. Do we need to be worried when our kids spike a low- or high-grade fever? Dr. Saima Jafri, pediatrician with Connecticut Children’s Care Network, lays out the facts on fever in kids. What
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Chiari Malformation in Children: Questions to Ask Your Doctor By Bethany Simonetti MSN, APRN, FNP-BC: Finding out that your child has a Chiari malformation can be overwhelming. Parents often have many questions like: What does this mean for my child? Will they need surgery? What will life be like afterward? Before your appointment with a pediatric neurosurgeon, it helps to have a
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5 Reasons Not To Delay Your Child's Vaccines By Andrew Carlson, MD: This blog was originally published in 2022 and has been updated as of October 13, 2025 to reflect current times. We continue to stress how important it is for kids to get their routine childhood vaccines according to the recommended schedule, which is based on rigorous scientific
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When Does a Teen ACL Tear Need Surgery vs. Rehab? A Parent’s Guide By Matthew Brown, MD: When your teen is told they have torn their ACL, one of the biggest questions parents ask is: Do they need surgery, or can physical therapy be enough? Matt Brown, MD, orthopedic surgeon and ACL reconstruction expert, answers questions for parents.
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Adult Skincare Products are Not Safe for Kids. Here’s Why. No. It’s not safe for kids to use adult skincare products. But thanks to TikTok “skinfluencer” trends everywhere (#schoolgrwm, for one), kids are getting the wrong messages about what it means to keep skin healthy. Many preteens and children as young as 6 years old (!) have been
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8 Common Autism Myths (and the Facts Parents Need to Know) By Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC-SLP: If your child is autistic or being evaluated for autism, it seems like the whole world has an opinion. You might hear advice from friends, see posts on social media, or even read conflicting information online. With so much misinformation out there, it’s hard to know what to
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School Mental Health Screenings: Myths vs. Facts By Preeti Sandhu, PsyD: In today’s world, conversations about mental health are more open than ever — but when schools conduct mental health screenings, questions and concerns often arise. Are they diagnostic? Are results private? This guide separates myth from fact about school-based mental health
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Should I Worry if My Child Has Big Tonsils or Adenoids? A Parent’s Guide By Rachelle Wareham, MD: Imagine peeking into your 5-year-old’s mouth one morning after a long night of snoring. You think, “Wow, these tonsils are huge! Is this normal—or should I be worried?” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Enlarged tonsils—and their close neighbors, the adenoids—are one of
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Emergency Room or Urgent Care? When Your Child Needs Care, Here's Where to Go It’s stressful enough when you or your child is sick or injured. It’s even more stressful if you’re not sure where to go – the emergency room, urgent care center or your doctor. Here’s a list to break it down.