Playful Coping Skills To Empower Your Anxious Child
As parents, we want to see our children happy and confident. However, when anxiety creeps in, even the simplest of challenges can feel...
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Our Blog
Guiding and supporting parents with information to help kids navigate life's difficult moments.
Carissa Menard, CCLS
Oct 1
How To Develop Resilience in Children
For children, resilience is a vital skill that helps them navigate life’s ups and downs, fostering emotional well-being and overall...
Leslie Manjarrez, MA
Jul 16
Video Games - What to know and how to protect your kids!
Learn video game ratings and how to decide which games are best for your child. Learn gaming benefits and how it can actually be supportive!
Darcy Rinaldo, MS
Jun 7
Home for the Summer: Sensory Activities to Implement
Summer break often leaves children with less sensory input at home. Here we share sensory activities to help them stay regulated!
Darcy Rinaldo, MS
May 20
Helping Your Child Navigate Friendships and Peer Relationships
Learn how to support your child with developing social skills and navigating peer relationships.
How Child Life Specialists are Enhancing Pediatric Mental Health
Learn how child life services enhance pediatric mental health and why these clinicians should be viewed as crucial mental health providers.
Teaching Children How to Process and Manage Anger
By employing these strategies with some patience and practice, parents can equip children toward healthier ways to handle anger.
Highlighting Child Life Beyond Hospital Walls: Happy Child Life Month!
March is recognized by the Association of Child Life Professionals as Child Life Month. As child life specialists aim to maximize coping...
Calming Sensory Activities Before Bed for Sensory Seekers & Avoiders
As many caregivers know, children thrive off consistency and routines, and bedtime is no different. A bedtime routine is especially...
Tapping for Kids: Why and How
All children have unique needs when it comes to experiencing something stressful, uncomfortable, or painful. By helping your child...
Winter Wellness: Promoting Emotional Health in Cold Weather
A list of ways to promote emotional health and well being, and activity ideas for your kids during the winter months.
Yifan Wang, MA, CCLS, RWWP
Dec 27, 2023
From Milestones to Memories: Honoring the Year That Was
It’s always exciting as we countdown the final days of December and welcome January 1st as a chance for a new start. Often we are quick...
Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS
Dec 20, 2023
Flush Away Frustration: A Comprehensive Guide to Stress-Free Potty Training
First and foremost, for optimal success wait until your child is ready. There is no single “right age” to start potty training. Remember,...
Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS
Dec 4, 2023
Coping Tool Stocking Stuffers!
Coping skills are strategies we use to manage feelings and handle stress. Coping is not something we are born knowing how to do; it’s...
Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS
Nov 18, 2023
The Power of Play: Developmentally Appropriate Play By Your Child's Age
Play is not just an enjoyable pastime for children; it is a fundamental aspect of their growth and development. As parents, educators,...
Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS
Nov 3, 2023
Children's Grief and the Year of Firsts
For many, there are seemingly endless questions, thoughts, and worries surrounding how to approach the year of firsts after the death of...
Yifan Wang, MA, CCLS, RWWP
Oct 23, 2023
Explaining Mental Illness to Kids and Teens
Mental illness is an important, yet often a difficult discussion to tackle with children. Since mental health is an essential component...
Yifan Wang, MA, CCLS, RWWP
Sep 27, 2023
Mental Health Distress of Children with Sickle Cell Disease
September marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Did you know that September is also designated by Congress as National...
Dr. Stephanie Walsh
Sep 13, 2023
Preventing Bullying and Negative Body Image in Children with Obesity
Me: “Does your school have a zero-tolerance policy on bullying.” Caregiver: “Yes! I went down to the school, the kids are constantly...
Yifan Wang, CCLS
Aug 23, 2023
Child Life Decreases Fear and Procedure Time with Non-pharmacological Techniques
Research shows that child life specialists decrease procedure time and fear in children receiving an outpatient lab draws.
Carissa Hodgson, LCSW, OSW-C
Aug 16, 2023
The Importance of Modeling Emotions for your Kids
It’s not just okay to cry in front of your children – it may be necessary. Show them what it looks like to FEEL.
Suzan Watkinson, M.A., CCLS, CPMT, RWWP
Aug 9, 2023
Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) and Psychologist: What’s the Difference?
According to a recent study, many children and teenagers who seek help for an anxiety disorder receive medication, and not counseling (2023)
Yifan Wang, CCLS
Jul 26, 2023
Back to School Support Following a Serious Illness or New Diagnosis
Learn how to advocate for your child and support them with the transition back to school after a new diagnosis or serious illness.
Yifan Wang, CCLS
Jul 10, 2023
Supporting the Mental Health of Children with Chronic Illness
Many children living with a chronic illness face various challenges that can impact their overall well-being. Understandably, the journey...
Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS
Jun 26, 2023
What is Child-Centered Play?
What exactly is child-centered play, and more importantly, why does it matter? Child-Centered Play (and language) Play is the natural...
Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS
Jun 14, 2023
How to Prepare Your Child for Surgery
Talking and playing with your child before surgery reduces the stress and fear often associated with the hospital by helping them...
Yifan Wang, CCLS
Jun 5, 2023
Using Books to Support the Healthcare Experience of Children and the Whole Family
Children's books are a developmentally-appropriate way to explain difficult topics like cancer, grief, and emotions to a child.
Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS
May 10, 2023
5 Ways to Nurture Your Child's Mental Health
Just like the rest of the body, a child's mental health also needs to be supported and nurtured! Here we have listed 5 easy ways to do this.
Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS
Apr 28, 2023
7 Ways to Make Shots Easier if Your Child is Scared of Needles
Making shots "easier" does not mean the child does not have an emotional reaction, but rather, it creates an experience that encourages
Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS
Mar 31, 2023
Managing Academic Anxiety
During the school year children may experience feelings of anxiety from academic pressures such as testing, presentations, being called...
Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS
Mar 23, 2023
Toddler Temper Tantrums
What are temper tantrums and why do toddlers have them? We discuss how to manage these difficult moments and ways to support your toddler.
Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS
Mar 22, 2023
Encouraging Healthy Sleep Habits for Kids
Tips for helping kids with good sleep. Getting enough rest is important for mental health and well being. Help your child with good sleep.
Tamara Hubbard, MA, LCPC
Mar 10, 2023
5 Tips for Parenting Kids with Food Allergy Anxiety
This article gives 5 tips for parents on how to help address and manage your child's food allergy anxiety.
Tamara Hubbard, MA, LCPC
Mar 8, 2023
Accessing Food Allergy & Allergic Disease Mental Health Support
Written by: Tamara Hubbard, MA, LCPC Many have heard the term food allergy, but not everyone knows what that diagnosis actually means....
Carissa Menard, CCLS
Feb 21, 2023
Meltdowns, Tantrums, and Outbursts - The Escalation Cycle and Why Connection Comes First
Meltdowns, tantrums and outbursts, oh my! We’ve all been there! You are in the middle of Target and your child falls to the floor...
Yifan Wang, CCLS
Jan 9, 2023
For Parents: Helping Your Child Cope When You Have Cancer
In this blog post we share some ways that parents/caregivers can help a child understand and cope with a parental cancer diagnosis.
Yifan Wang, CCLS
Nov 16, 2022
Children Grieve, Too. Let’s Talk About It.
Statistics in the United States show us that 1 in 13 children will lose a parent or sibling by the time they reach 18 years of age, and...
Carissa Menard, CCLS
Oct 19, 2022
The Forgotten Grievers in Infant and Pregnancy Loss
We discuss ways you can include and support your child in the grieving of their expected or new baby brother or sister.
Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS
Oct 7, 2022
How to Talk to Your Child About Their Mental Health
Do you struggle with knowing how to start a conversation with your child about mental health? This blog post is a guide on how to start.
Hearts Connected CCLS Team
Sep 16, 2022
How to Talk to Your Child about Abortion
A guide to help you through tough conversations with a child that's age-appropriate and fosters compassionate thinking.
Amanda Eide
Aug 8, 2022
5 Parenting Hacks for Blissful Back-To-School Mornings
5 tips for parents and caregivers as you help your child transition back to school for a new year.
Jaylin Alexander-Bradford
Aug 3, 2022
Easy Grounding and Calming Exercises for Kids
Grounding exercises are helpful to help kids manage anxious thoughts and worries and promote calmness.
Helen Griffin
Jul 15, 2022
How to Successfully Set Limits on Screen Time for Kids
Kids should have limits when it comes to screen time. Here are some recommendations to help you start limiting the amount of screen time.
Helen Griffin
Jul 13, 2022
The Bright Side of Screen Time
In this blog post, we talk about the benefits of screen time.
Helen Griffin
Jul 11, 2022
Children and the Risks of Screen Time
We discuss how much screen time is reasonable and several ways that you can help your child develop healthy screen habits.
MaKaylie Peterkin, MS, CCLS
Jun 21, 2022
Helping kids navigate medical experiences through play
Healthcare experiences can be challenging for children of all ages. Using medical play is a great way to help kids process and learn.
Jaylin Alexander-Bradford
Jun 19, 2022
Raising Race Conscious Children
One way we can change the course of inequality against Black children is to intentionally make efforts to raise race-conscious children.
Jeela Tavakoli, CCLS
May 17, 2022
Toxic Positivity and The Power of Negative Feelings
Toxic positivity can invalidate ones emotions. Recognizing and rephrasing provides alternative support that validates a child's feelings.
Anna Fowler, MS, CCLS
Apr 18, 2022
How to help your child with immunizations
How to help your kids with immunizations
Carissa Menard, CCLS
Apr 7, 2022
Raising Awareness and Supporting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Healthcare Settings
April is Autism Acceptance Month and observes the rise in individuals diagnosed with ASD and the impact ASD has on a family.
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