Our Blog

Guiding and supporting parents with information to help kids navigate life's difficult moments.

Nov 18

How To Help Children Cope With Loss

Grief is complex for people of all ages, but it can be especially challenging for children. Unlike adults, children have less experience...

How To Help a Child With Separation Anxiety

Carissa Menard, CCLS

Oct 15

How To Help a Child With Separation Anxiety

Children aged six months to three years often struggle with separation anxiety. In this developmental stage, they can feel distressed...

Effective Strategies for Children With Challenging Behaviors

Carissa Menard, CCLS

Oct 14

Effective Strategies for Children With Challenging Behaviors

Dealing with challenging behaviors in children can be a daunting and stressful experience for parents and caregivers. It’s common to feel...

Playful Coping Skills To Empower Your Anxious Child

Carissa Menard, CCLS

Oct 7

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...

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...

Video Games - What to know and how to protect your kids!

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!

Home for the Summer: Sensory Activities to Implement

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!

Helping Your Child Navigate Friendships and Peer Relationships

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

Suzan J. Watkinson, M.A., CCLS, CPMT, RWWP

May 8

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

Yifan Wang, MA, CCLS, RWWP

Apr 24

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!

Yifan Wang, MA, CCLS, RWWP

Mar 23

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

Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS

Feb 28

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...

Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS

Feb 13

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

Yifan Wang, MA, CCLS, RWWP

Jan 16

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.

From Milestones to Memories: Honoring the Year That Was

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...

Flush Away Frustration: A Comprehensive Guide to Stress-Free Potty Training

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...

The Power of Play: Developmentally Appropriate Play By Your Child's Age

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...

Explaining Mental Illness to Kids and Teens

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...

Mental Health Distress of Children with Sickle Cell Disease

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...

Preventing Bullying and Negative Body Image in Children with Obesity

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...

Child Life Decreases Fear and Procedure Time with Non-pharmacological Techniques

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.

The Importance of Modeling Emotions for your Kids

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.

Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) and Psychologist: What’s the Difference?

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)

Back to School Support Following a Serious Illness or New Diagnosis

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.

Supporting the Mental Health of Children with Chronic 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...

Using Books to Support the Healthcare Experience of Children and the Whole Family

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.

5 Ways to Nurture Your Child's Mental Health

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.

7 Ways to Make Shots Easier if Your Child is Scared of Needles

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.

Encouraging Healthy Sleep Habits for Kids

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.

5 Tips for Parenting Kids with Food Allergy Anxiety

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.

Accessing Food Allergy & Allergic Disease Mental Health Support

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....

Meltdowns, Tantrums, and Outbursts - The Escalation Cycle and Why Connection Comes First

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...

For Parents: Helping Your Child Cope When You Have Cancer

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.

Children Grieve, Too. Let’s Talk About It.

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...

The Forgotten Grievers in Infant and Pregnancy Loss

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.

How to Talk to Your Child About Their Mental Health

Katelyn Kieleszewski, MEd, CCLS

Oct 6, 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.

How to Talk to Your Child about Abortion

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.

5 Parenting Hacks for Blissful Back-To-School Mornings

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.

Easy Grounding and Calming Exercises for Kids

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.

How to Successfully Set Limits on Screen Time for Kids

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.

Helping kids navigate medical experiences through play

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.

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Guiding and supporting parents with information to help kids navigate life's difficult moments.

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