Melissa M. Brown

Contact

mbrown50@twu.edu
(940) 898-2675
 WH 102G

View CV

Biography

Melissa Brown is an associate professor of child development. She earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and received training in cognitive development in early childhood as well as in statistics and quantitative methodologies. Her research interests primarily center on children’s emerging imaginations and engagement in pretend play, and how such engagement might benefit their development across a variety of domains. She enjoys working with students and teaching a variety of courses in child development, statistics, and research methods at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.

Education

Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
M.A., Developmental Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
B.A., Psychology, Spanish Literature, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

Research Interests

Cognitive Development; Conceptual Development; Socioemotional Development; Pretend Play, Imaginary Companions; Theory of Mind; Empathy; Executive Functions; School Readiness

Latest Articles

Review of the book Using superheroes and villains in counseling and play therapy: A guide for mental health professionals, by Lawrence C. Rubin
American Journal of Play (2020)
M. M. *Brown

Mindfulness as a stress-management tool for preschool students
Early Years: Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (2020)
J. Stockemer, M. M. *Brown

Fantastical pretense's effects on executive function in a diverse sample of preschoolers.
Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology (2020)
R. B. Thibodeau-Nielsen, A. T. Gilpin, A. F. Nancarrow, J. M. Pierucci, M. M. *Brown

Implausible lie detection in early childhood: Exploring self-regulation and social cognition as predictors
International Journal of Developmental Science (2019)
C. B. Farrell, A. T. Gilpin, A. F. Nancarrow, M. M. *Brown

Fantastical play and imaginary companions: A potential tool for child life intervention
Association of Child Life Professionals Bulletin (2019)
M. M. *Brown, E M McCarroll

Conceptual similarities among fantasy and religious orientations: A developmental perspective
Journal of Cognition and Culture (2018)
Rachel B. Thibodeau, Melissa M. *Brown, Alexandra F. Nancarrow, Karrie E. Elpers, Ansley T. Gilpin

Fostering student connectedness: Building relationships in the classroom
Faculty Focus (2017)
Melissa M. *Brown, Teresa Starrett

Supporting the development of empathy: The role of theory of mind and fantasy orientation
Social Development (2017)
Melissa M. *Brown, Rachel B. Thibodeau, Jillian M. Pierucci, Ansley T. Gilpin

Children's imaginary companions: Dispelling myths and rumors
Texas Child Care: The Quarterly Journal for Caregivers Everywhere (2016)
Melissa M. *Brown

The effects of fantastical pretend-play on the development of executive functions: An intervention study.
Journal of Experimental Child Psychology (2016)
R. B. Thibodeau, A. T. Gilpin, M. M. *Brown, B. A. Meyer

The development of children's concepts of invisibility
Cognitive Development (2015)
Jacqueline D. Woolley, Melissa M. *Brown

Relations between fantasy orientation and emotion regulation in preschool
Early Education and Development (2015)
Ansley Tullos Gilpin, Melissa McInnis *Brown, Jillian M. Pierucci

Externally Funded Projects

Succeed Using Child Care and Educational Services (SUCCESS)
GOV-Department of Education (DE) | 2019
Role: Collaborator

Fantasy Orientation: Measuring Individual Differences and Assessing Mechanisms of Cognitive Development Year 1 of 2
Imagination Institute | 2015
Role: Collaborator

Internally Funded Projects

Travel funds awarded for poster presentation at the Society for Research in Child Development special topic meeting
Texas Woman's University Office of Research and Sponsored Programs | $800.00 | 2020
Research Grant

Cultural and Contextual Predictors of Imaginary in Early Childhood
Texas Woman's University Office of Research and Sponsored Programs | $10,000.00 | 2019
Research Grant

TWU Pioneer Teaching and Learning Academy
Texas Woman's University Center for Teaching and Learning | $1,200.00 | 2015
Research Grant

Fantasy Orientation and Executive Functions in Adulthood
Texas Woman's University Small Grants Program | $220.00 | 2015
Research Grant

Professional Affiliations

• American Psychological Association Division 7: Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Development Society
• Society for Research in Child Development
• Society for Research in Human Development