Orban advises parents to look for an activity center “that encourages movement and exploration. Items that allow babies to reach, bat, kick, and turn their heads are great.” The toys incentivize plenty of movement and activity, which is why we picked this as the best overall.

According to Burton, “when looking for a standing activity center, you want to look for something that allows your child’s feet to be placed flatly on a firm surface—an activity center with an adjustable footboard that can be raised or lowered based on the height of your baby. This is so important for keeping your child’s feet flat and in the best alignment to support the development of their growing bodies.” 

Read the full article at parents.com. 

On December 18, Sabally paid a visit to the kids at HSS Lerner Children’s Pavilion. This event was particularly special for Sabally. As a young athlete, she’s experienced her fair share of injuries and has undergone surgery at HSS herself. She met with kids that were recovering from surgeries, and in watching her talk with and cheer up the kids, a tie that connects them is a sense of perseverance. The process of battling back after you’ve been knocked down tests you, and Sabally has always worked to get back and be better than ever.

“I feel like that’s one of the strongest characteristics that I have is just perseverance,” Sabally told reporters at HSS. “Because I’ve had so many injuries, and there was always something. So just being able to give these kids some tips means a lot, just because it is really hard, and to look forward and to look past all the injuries. But it really is something I feel like I’ve grown at a lot.

Read the full article at netsdaily.com.

The Adaptive Sports Academy organizes trips for pediatric patients to build their self-confidence, help them become more independent, and increase their mobility.

“Some parents have said they were told their child could never walk and are amazed to see them ski. It also shows parents what they can do,” said John Denneen, director of pediatric service lines at HSS.

HSS pediatric physical therapist Samantha Sawade PT, DPT, PCS, noted, “We see that light bulb come on of ‘I can do this, and not only can I do this, I like this.’”

Families and friends are also encouraged to participate. “It’s really one of the only times as siblings they can do a sport together. These activities really just normalize their childhood,” explained Jessica Parise, child life supervisor at HSS.

Read the full article at Stamfordadvocate.com. A subscription is required to access.

Oppenheimer said the move will allow the program to grow comfortably and allows for ongoing modernization efforts. “By moving it to a building specialized for outpatient services, away from a hospital setting, it improves patient access and the experience for them and their parents,” he said.

The program is expected to handle nearly 18,000 visits as well and is projected to grow to nearly 19,000 visits by the third year of operation.

Oppenheimer concluded citing the existing space will be used to build out its operating rooms and other infrastructure that supports inpatient and surgical services.

Read the full article in Crain’s Health Pulse.

Johnson cited despite the challenges and stress of raising a toddler during quarantine, families have managed to experience a number of positive effects. “For some families, the increased time spent together within the home during quarantine has in fact made them more connected and closer,” she noted. Some parents have even indicated that quarantine has actually supported growth in their child’s developmental language skills. “Children learn an abundance of language from familiar adults and children in their environment,” explained Johnson. “Therefore, additional family time together can provide a child with more opportunities to observe, practice, and learn new skills in their natural environment.”

Macklin added, “We won’t know the long-term effects that quarantining will have on a toddler’s speech and language development until further research has been conducted.” With that said, there are ways that parents can help toddlers continue to develop language and social skills right now. “By including kids in everyday activities, such as cooking and straightening up the play area, parents are naturally creating opportunities to build communication skills,” she continued.

Read the full article at Parentology.com.

“There is recent research suggesting they can help reduce or relieve anxiety," said Rocchio Mueller. For people who may not consider themselves anxious, yet still suffer from insomnia or sleep disturbances, Rocchio Mueller explained, "A weighted blanket might provide just enough physiological calm that it helps them relax to fall asleep.”

Many users describe the sensation of lying under a weighted blanket as feeling like a hug. "It is one of the most natural things to reach and hug a family member or friend when they are upset or anxious. While a hug might not solve all your problems, it often helps you feel better by calming your body which then allows you to think a little bit clearer,” noted Rocchio Mueller.

Read the full story at Goodhousekeeping.com.

Newsday spoke to Bridget A. Assip PT, DPT, PCS, physical therapist at HSS, about the experience, who said, “The water for them is a playground, they have limitless abilities in the water,” Hospital for Special Surgery physical therapist Bridget Assip said. “They can do something that on the land might be more difficult, but in the water they can do things that they weren’t able to before.”

Read the full article at Newsday.com. This article also appeared in the August 13, 2019 print edition.

Additional coverage: Segments on News 12 Long Island and News 12 Westchester aired during the evening and morning news hours on August 12-13, 2019.