Dr. Sarah

Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology

Dr. Sarah is a child psychologist with 12 years of clinical experience. She translates developmental research into practical advice parents can actually use at home.

Areas of Expertise

Articles by Dr. Sarah (22)

My Child Hates Reading. Here's What Actually Worked.

When your kid pushes books away, it's easy to panic. A child psychologist (and mum) shares what the research says, what ...

April 12, 2026 • 5 min read

How Stories Help Children Develop Empathy (And Build Real Confidence)

A child psychologist breaks down the research on how stories help children develop empathy and confidence, and why perso...

April 17, 2026 • 6 min read

Why Every Child Deserves to See Themselves in a Story: Diversity in Personalized Books

A child psychologist on the mirror/window framework, and why AI personalization is finally giving underrepresented famil...

April 21, 2026 • 6 min read

5 Ways Storytelling Builds Your Child's Brain (Backed by 2026 Research)

A child psychologist shares five science-backed benefits of storytelling for child development, with the 2026 research t...

April 22, 2026 • 6 min read

The Mirror Book Effect: Why Children Need to See Themselves in Stories

A child psychologist explains the importance of seeing yourself in a book for children, the mirror/window framework, and...

April 25, 2026 • 6 min read

Reading Milestones by Age: What to Expect (and When to Worry) - A Science-Backed Chart

A child psychologist's reading milestones by age chart, with science-backed reading time recommendations and a clear lis...

April 25, 2026 • 6 min read

How to Teach a Toddler Emotional Regulation (Without Saying "Calm Down")

A child psychologist explains why "calm down" never works on a toddler, and the three things that actually do: co-regula...

April 29, 2026 • 6 min read

How to Build Confidence in a Shy Preschooler (Stories, Scripts, and Small Wins)

A child psychologist on how to build confidence in shy preschooler form: shyness as temperament, the small wins framewor...

April 30, 2026 • 6 min read

Executive Function Activities for Preschoolers (Build the Brain Skills That Matter Most)

A child psychologist on executive function activities preschool age kids actually need. The Center on the Developing Chi...

April 30, 2026 • 6 min read

The Personalized Children's Book Built for Two-Mom and Two-Dad Families: A Pride Month 2026 Guide

A child psychologist's Pride Month 2026 gift guide to picking a personalized book for two moms two dads families. Family...

May 3, 2026 • 6 min read

Personalized Books for Autistic Kids: Social Stories Where Your Child Is the Hero

A child psychologist's pillar guide to personalized books for autistic children. The clinical roots of social stories, s...

May 5, 2026 • 14 min read

Books to Help Kids Through Divorce: A Personalized Approach for Two-Home Families

A child psychologist's honest review of books to help kids through divorce personalized for two-home families. The gap b...

May 5, 2026 • 6 min read

How to Explain Big Feelings to a Toddler: The Inside Out 2 Era of Emotional Vocabulary

A child psychologist on what Inside Out 2 did to our kids' vocabulary, an age-matched feelings chart, and the four-step ...

May 5, 2026 • 6 min read

How to Help an Anxious Child with Bedtime Fears (A Calm-Down Plan from a Child Psychologist)

A child psychologist on the #1 sleep complaint in pediatric clinics: the kid who can't fall asleep because of monsters o...

May 6, 2026 • 6 min read

A Personalized Book for the Child of a Deployed Parent (When Daddy or Mommy Is Away)

A child psychologist's roundup of the four kinds of deployment books on the shelf. The OPSEC-respectful countdown-ritual...

May 7, 2026 • 6 min read

How to Help a Young Child Cope with Pet Death (A Child Psychologist's Guide to the First Real Loss)

A child psychologist on what to actually say when the family pet dies. The four concepts of death your preschooler hasn'...

May 11, 2026 • 6 min read

How to Talk to a Young Child About the Death of a Grandparent (A Child Psychologist's Guide to the First Human Loss)

A child psychologist on what to actually say when a grandparent dies. The four concepts of death your preschooler hasn't...

May 12, 2026 • 6 min read

How to Build Self-Esteem in Preschoolers at Home (What Actually Works, From a Child Psychologist)

A child psychologist on how to build self-esteem in preschoolers at home: why empty praise can backfire, and the two rea...

May 12, 2026 • 6 min read

How to Help a Kindergartener With Separation Anxiety at Drop Off (A Psychologist's 3-Part Micro-Ritual)

A child psychologist on the 60 seconds at the classroom door, the 3-part micro-ritual that shortens drop-off tears, what...

May 13, 2026 • 6 min read

Why Boredom Is Good for Kids (And What Actually Happens in Their Brain When They're Bored)

A child psychologist on why boredom is good for kids creativity. The default-mode network, the 20-minute boredom rule, p...

May 16, 2026 • 5 min read

How to Help a Child with Dyslexia Learn to Read at Home (Without Making Reading the Enemy)

A child psychologist on what dyslexia really is, the early signs in a 4 to 7 year old, and how to help your child practi...

May 18, 2026 • 7 min read

How to Help a Foster Child Feel Safe with Bedtime Stories: A First-Night Toolkit

A child psychologist's trauma-informed first-night toolkit for foster placements. Why familiar story shapes regulate the...

May 23, 2026 • 7 min read