Expertise

Research Areas:

  • fantasy orientation and pretend play
  • executive functions
  • school readiness
  • children's use of testimony (information from other people) to learn about the world
  • imaginary companions (mean and nice)
  • children's understanding of fantasy/reality
  • development of religiousity
  • pretend play's role in early childhood intervention (ASD)

Research Interests

  • Imaginative Play - Fantasy Orientation and Pretend Play (children's tendency to engage in fantastical vs. realistic play) - Funded by Grant #RFP-15-08 from the Imagination Institute
  • Executive Functions (inhibition, working memory, attentional shift, etc.)
  • School Readiness (Head Start, preschool curriculum, behavioral and socio-emotional predictors of academic success) - Funded by Grant #90YR0075 from the Administration for Children and Families (DHHS)
  • Children's use of Testimony (information from other people) to learn about the world
  • Imaginary Companions (mean and nice)
  • Children's understanding of fantasy/reality, including belief in fantastical entities such as Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy.  
  • Development of religiosity
  • Pretend play's role in early childhood intervention (ASD)
Communities
Psychology
Degrees
PhD, University of Texas, 2009