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Smart Summer Reading Tips for Busy Parents By Andrew Carlson, MD: Just as daily exercise keeps our bodies healthy and strong, regular reading keeps our brains active and growing, especially during the summer months when school is out. Children who don’t read regularly over the summer can lose up to two months of reading development, a

Right at Home: Jackson’s Story Jackson Shorette, who is about to turn 3, practically lives within walking distance of his pediatric gastroenterologist. But to get care, he doesn’t even need to leave the house. Sarita Singhal, MD, practices at Connecticut Children’s location in South Hadley, Western Mass

Building for Health: Peace of Mind for Emily and Family The Quintero family of Manchester, Connecticut is breathing much easier these days after the Building for Health program fixed hazards in their home and provided support for their daughter’s worsening asthma symptoms.

Does My Child Need a Back to School Exam? By Abraham J. Khorasani, MD: This article was originally published in August of 2022 and has been updated August 11, 2025 to reflect current times. From the early pre-K years to senior year, school is about so much more than pens, books and friendships. Your child should also have a clean bill of health

Spirit of Sport: Haley’s Story Seventeen-year-old Haley Lespier, a three-sport varsity athlete at Maloney High School in Meriden, recently received an incredible honor. Out of all the athletes in New England, New York and New Jersey, she was the selected as the sole regional winner of the 2020 National High

As the World Shut Down: Emilia’s Story Emilia Galarneau was born March 6 – exactly a week before the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a national emergency. “The world seemingly shut down as we drove her home from the hospital,” says mom Brittaney. Two days later, she and Emilia’s dad, Eric, made the decision to pull

Signs Your Child Might Be Depressed or Anxious – and What to Do Next By Lauren K. Ayr-Volta, PhD: Over the last few years, some parents and pediatric experts have noticed an increase in youth anxiety and depression. For general advice on how to support your teen, check out Is Your Teen Stressed, Sad or Angry? They May Be Feeling Grief . If you’re wondering how you’ll know

Mask Up! Tips to Make Kids More Comfortable With Masks, Broken Down by Age By Kathryn Robbins: Masks are one of the best ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus . But even if your child knows they’re supposed to wear a mask out in public, it can take some practice – and positive reinforcement – to get them in the habit. Child Life specialist Kathryn Robbins, MS, CCLS

7 Ways to Introduce Your Child to Wearing a Mask By Kathryn Robbins: As part of Connecticut Children’s Safe and Sound program, every team member, visitor and patient over age 2 wears a face mask. To prevent the spread of coronavirus, masks should be a habit for your family too, especially as you venture out to public places for summer fun . But it

Grow Focused: Michael’s Story At indoor track practice this past winter, Derby High School shot putter Michael Hyder, age 15, was hit in the back of the head with a shot put – a metal ball about the size and weight of a small cannonball. It knocked him unconscious, and he fell face-forward onto the gravel

Meet Emma: A Journey from the Adult Surgery Unit to the Pediatric ICU Emma got her start working in adult healthcare, but always knew she wanted to work with children. Now a nurse in the Pediatric ICU, Emma knows firsthand the incredible fulfillment and inspiration that comes with a career in pediatrics.

Explaining Anesthesia to Younger Kids By Sarah Malvezzi: At Connecticut Children’s, we know how to make kids feel comfortable and special, including explaining medical procedures in a way that doesn’t feel intimidating. If your child has a surgery or procedure scheduled, you’ll probably want to talk to them about it at home too. To get

6 Reasons Why It’s Important to Cook With Your Kids By Nancy Trout, MD: By now, you and your child may be discovering the fun of cooking together. Want to make kitchen time even more meaningful? Primary care pediatrician Nancy Trout, MD, MPH, co-director of the Kohl’s Start Childhood Off Right program at Connecticut Children’s, joins the blog with

The Office’s Three Roles By Scott Orsey: By: Scott Orsey Promoting the optimal healthy development of children. That’s what we do here at the Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health (the Office). It sounds fairly straightforward, right? Getting kids programs and services to help them achieve their best

5 Healthy, Easy Lunchbox Snack Ideas By Stacy Chandna, MS, CIP: Healthy snacks are a great way to keep your kids energized and boost their essential nutrient intake – but sometimes, it’s hard to come up with ideas that are both interesting and easy. Luckily, Stacy Chandna, MS, CIP, has lots of tips.