Imaginary Friends

Imaginary friends come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes they're human, other times they're animals, or character from your child’s favorite book or TV show. They also keep very odd schedules, sometimes they are infrequent visitors and at other times they stop by only every few days and other times they are your child's constant companion.

Talking to imaginary friends, drawing them, read books to them and even sitting at the dinner table with them are all common activities for kids and their imaginary friends but should these actions be a cause for concern?
In most cases, the answer is No. A child’s imaginary friend are a typically a normal part of the toddler years. They can actually serve as a good outlet for child’s creativity.

Imaginary friends are known as “Symbolic Thinking” by Developmental Psychologists. Symbolic Thinking can include playing with dolls or action figures or using everyday objects as an imaginary item like a spoon used as a race car at the dinner table. Like our favorite children’s story it’s the simple concept of make-believe.
There is generally no harm in humoring your child in their claims of having an imaginary friend. However, you might find the following ground rules helpful:

•Don't force your child to admit that their imaginary friend is not real. In fact, have some fun with the concept by greeting them by name, and looking out for them as you travel around the house.

*If you’re not the imaginative type don’t force yourself to interact with your child’s imaginary friend. Do whatever you feel is natural to support your child’s imagination and creativity.

*Avoid using your child’s imaginary friend as leverage to complete tasks like cleaning up after play or brushing their teeth.

Imaginary friends tend to disappear between the third and fifth birthdays. They leave as easily as they arrived, they are forgotten, sent to a distant planet of they go live with the neighbors. In the meantime, enjoy the wonder and creativity of your child’s imagination.


Sources: http://www.babycenter.com
http://www.familyresource.com
http://www.greatschools.org