The Psychology of Childhood: Understanding Behavior Beyond the Surface With Meg McDoniel | Episode 4

What if every “bad behavior” is actually a message—and we’ve just been reading it wrong?

In this episode of Human Skills Training, Chris Danilo speaks with Dr. Meg McDoniel, early childhood researcher and policy expert, about the hidden psychology behind how kids learn, grow, and connect. Together, they uncover how early experiences shape brain development, self-regulation, and relationships—and what adults can do to help children thrive.

Meg brings a rare mix of classroom experience and research insight, showing that understanding behavior starts with empathy and curiosity, not correction. From trauma and temperament to teacher wellbeing, this episode reframes childhood not as a series of problems to fix, but as a conversation waiting to be understood.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✅ Why behavior is communication—and how to “decode” what kids are really saying
✅ How temperament and environment shape learning and emotional growth
✅ What research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) teaches us about resilience
✅ The link between teacher wellbeing and healthy classroom dynamics
✅ Simple ways to build trust, safety, and connection with every child
✅ Why empathy and patience are the most powerful teaching tools you have

If you’ve ever wondered why a child behaves a certain way, this episode will change how you see—and respond to—them.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome & Meg’s background
03:10 – From classroom to research
06:45 – The roots of childhood behavior
12:40 – Temperament and social-emotional learning
20:15 – The impact of early experiences (ACEs)
29:20 – Supporting teacher and student wellbeing
37:40 – Reframing behavior through empathy
46:30 – What gives Meg hope for the future