Reading the Room: How Kids Learn to Understand Emotions Without Words with Dr. Michele Morningstar
Description
Lara sits down with Dr. Michele Morningstar, a clinical psychologist and leading researcher on how children and teens learn to understand and express emotions—especially through nonverbal communication like facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language.
Dr. Morningstar is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Queen’s University and leads the Development of Social & Emotional Communication (DSEC) Lab. With a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from McGill University and postdoctoral training at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University, she brings both deep academic insight and real-world relevance to the emotional development of young people.
In this episode, we explore what it really means when a child seems to “miss” social cues or struggles to read a room—and why these skills are so crucial for healthy relationships. Dr. Morningstar explains how nonverbal communication develops across childhood and adolescence, how neurodevelopmental differences can impact these abilities, and how parents can play an active role in supporting their child’s emotional growth.
From science-backed explanations to practical strategies, this conversation will empower you to better understand the nonverbal world your child is navigating—and offer the support they need to thrive in it.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is picking up on the emotional signals around them—or what to do if they’re not—this episode is for you.
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Learn more about Dr. Morningstar’s research:
Website: DSEC Lab at Queen's University
Instagram: @DSECLAB
X: @DSECLab
YouTube: @DSECLab
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Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios
Sting Music: Purple Planet Music – Timelapse
United States
