Professor Emerita of Developmental Studies
(PhD, Michigan State University)

Contact Information

Child Development and Family Studies Building, Room 104
Purdue University
101 Gates Road
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2020

Phone: (765) 494-8573
Fax: (765) 496-1144

E-mail: melsong@purdue.edu

Major Interests and Activities

Dr. Melson's research focuses on social development of young children, parent-child relations, public policy, development of nurturance, human-animal bond, and children's relationships with animals.

Member, Editorial Board, Anthrozoos

Member, National Association for Humane and Environmental Education (NAHEE) Advisory Group.

Representative Publications

Melson, G. F. (2001). Why the Wild Things Are: Animals in the lives of children.

   Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Melson, G. F. (2000). Companion animals and the emotional development of children:

   Implications of the biophilia hypothesis. In A. Fine (Ed.), Handbook on animal

   assisted therapy. NY: Academic Press.

Melson, G. F., Windecker-Nelson, E., & Schwartz, R. L. (1998). Support and stress in

   mothers and fathers of young children. Early Education and Development, 9,

   261-281.

Melson, G. F. (1997). The role of companion animals in human development. In C. C.

   Wilson and D. C. Turner (Eds.), Companion Animals in Human Health. Sage.

Melson, G. F., Schwartz, R. L., & Beck, A. M. (1997). The importance of companion

   animals in children's lives implications for veterinary practice. Journal of American

   Veterinary Medical Association, 211, 1512-1518.

Windecker-Nelson, E., Melson, G.F., & Moon, S. (1997). Intellectually gifted

   preschoolers' perceived competence: Relations to maternal attitudes, concerns,

   and support. Gifted Child Quarterly, 44, 133-144.

Melson, G.F., & Fogel, A. (1996). Parental perceptions of their children's involvement

   with household pets: A test of a specificity model of nurturance. Anthrozoos, 9,

   95-105.

Windecker-Nelson, E., Moon, S., & Melson, G.F. (1995). Maternal social support

   networks: Relations to gifted children's self-concept. Research Briefs, 10, 23-32.

Melson, G.F. (1994). Reflections on a quality of life model for assessing impact of

   pets on humans. Anthrozoos, 7, 19-21.

Melson, G. F., Hsu, H., & Ladd, G. W. (1993). The parental support networks of

   mothers and fathers: a multidimensional approach. Early Development and

   Parenting, 2, 169-182.

Melson, G.F., Ladd, G. W., & Hsu, H. (1993). Maternal support networks, maternal

   cognitions and young children's social and cognitive development. Child

   Development, 64, 1401-1417.

Melson, G.F., Peet, S., & Sparks, C. (1992). Children's attachment to their pets:

   Links to social emotional development. Children's Environment Quarterly, 8, 55-65.

Melson, G.F. (1991). Studying children's attachment to their pets: A conceptual and

   methodological review. Anthrozoos, 4, 91-99.

Melson, G.F., & Kim, J.F., (1990). Separations and reunions of preschoolers and their

   parents at nursery school. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 5, 117-134.

Melson, G.F. (1989). The development of meta socialization: a theoretical framework.

   Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 10, 241-266.

Melson, G.F., & Fogel, A. (1989). Children's ideas about animal young and their care:

   A reassessment of gender differences in the development of nurturance.

   Anthrozoos, 2, 265-273.

Melson, G.F. (1988). Availability of and involvement with pets by children:

   Determinants and correlates. Anthrozoos, 2, 45-52.