Sensory Play Ideas for Toddlers Using
Keep your toddler engaged for hours with these surprisingly simple sensory activities using items hiding in your kitchen right now.
Sarah Mitchell, M.S., CFLE
Sarah Mitchell, M.S., CFLE, is the founder and lead editor of Family Flourish. She holds a Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Missouri and is a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) through the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR).
With over 15 years of experience working with families as a parent educator, family counselor, and workshop facilitator, Sarah has helped thousands of parents navigate the challenges of raising children in the modern world. She previously served as the Family Programs Director at the Kansas City YMCA and has been featured in Parents Magazine, Good Housekeeping, and on NBC's Today Show as a parenting expert.
As a mother of three children (ages 8, 12, and 16), Sarah brings both professional expertise and real-world parenting experience to every article she writes. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her husband David, their children, and two rescue dogs.
Sarah is passionate about making research-backed parenting strategies accessible to all families, regardless of background or resources. She believes that every parent has the capacity to raise thriving children when given the right tools and support.
Professional Memberships:
- National Council on Family Relations (NCFR)
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- National Parenting Education Network (NPEN)
Areas of Expertise:
- Child development (birth through adolescence)
- Positive discipline strategies
- Family communication
- Work-life balance for parents
- Building resilience in children
Sleep Training Methods Compared: Ferber
Parents face crucial decisions about sleep training—discover which method actually works faster and whether crying truly harms your baby's development.
How to Handle Temper Tantrums in Public
Handle public toddler meltdowns confidently with 7 expert-backed strategies that transform chaos into teachable moments—discover what actually works when tantrums strike.
Montessori Activities for 2-Year-Olds
Jump into these 15 Montessori activities that transform your 2-year-old into a confident, capable helper while secretly developing essential life skills.
Effective Communication Strategies for
Open the door to harmonious blended family life with eight powerful communication strategies that transform daily conflicts into opportunities for connection.
Simple Ways to Create a Calm Home
Curious how minor adjustments transform chaotic spaces into peaceful retreats using ten proven strategies that reduce stress and restore balance.
The Ultimate Morning Routine Checklist
Master the chaos of large family mornings with this proven checklist that transforms rushed, stressful wake-ups into smooth, organized routines everyone follows.
Phonics Games That Make Reading Fun for
Open the door to effortless reading success with 10 proven phonics games that transform struggling readers into confident learners.
Creative Ways to Teach Life Skills From
Master proven strategies to teach essential life skills at every age, from toddlers to teens, using creative methods that actually work.
Fun STEM Projects for Kids That Spark
Fun STEM projects using household items ignite curiosity and learning, but wait until you see what transforms ordinary afternoons into discovery adventures.