Ep. 22: Dr Kristyn Sommer on science of babies, screens and her own motherhood journey feat. postpartum anxiety, autism and an unsettled baby

This chat was so fun! Dr Kristyn Sommer has a PhD in developmental psychology where she explored how young children learn from social robots and screen media. She is now a Griffith University Postdoctoral Research Fellow exploring social robots and children again alongside her new research stream investigating the impacts of social media on parenting. This second research stream was inspired by her TikTok platform which skyrocketed to nearly half a million follows since 2021 where she translates the science of children and parenting into bite sized videos with humans, entertainment and toys. You can find Kristyn on all of your favourite social media platforms under the handle @drkristynsommer. We chatted about: - Being a robot scientist and the role of social robots and screen media in kids' learning - Her journey into motherhood laced with unsettled baby, CMPI, postpartum anxiety and panic attacks and a surprise later diagnosis of autism - The science of babies and their inability to regulate their emotions or practice impulse control- appreciating children as tiny scientists