Research Interests:

pretend play

development of imagination

narrative

Selected Publications

Kavanaugh, R.D. (2002). Caregiver-child social pretend play: What transpires? in R.W.Mitchell (Ed.), Pretending and Imagination in Animals and Children. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Kavanaugh, R.D.(2001). Understanding the pretense-theory of mind relationship. In S. Reifel (Ed.), Play and culture studies (Vol. 3). NJ: Ablex.

Kavanaugh, R. D., & Harris, P. L. (1999).Pretense and counterfactual thought in young children. In L. Balter & C. S. Tamis-LeMonda (Eds.), Child psychology; A handbook of contemporary issues (pp. 158-176). Philadelphia: Psychology Press.

Kavanaugh, R. D., and Engel, S. (1998). The development of pretense and narrative in early childhood. In O. N. Saracho and B. Spodek (Eds), Multiple perspectives on play in early childhood education (pp. 80-99). Albany, N.Y.: SUNY Press.

The play project is a study of children's play and development during the early childhood years. Children as young as two years old are eligible to participate. We study children's language, play, and reasoning through age six years. If you would like to learn more about the play project, including opportunities for your child to participate, please contact Professsor Kavanaugh by phone or email as listed above.