Parents often worry when their children have imaginary friends, believing that they should be interacting with real friends instead. However, a study conducted at the Institute of Education in London shows that imaginary friends can actually have a positive impact on children.
These imaginary companions, whether they are superheroes or fire-breathing dragons, are a sign of an imaginative child. They offer their creators a friend to confide in and boost their self-esteem. The research found that these made-up friends enhance children’s creativity, making them more confident and articulate.
According to Karen Majors, an educational psychologist who conducted the research, imaginative children will naturally create imaginary friends. This companionship is an important part of their development and can be a way of boosting their self-confidence.
Parents should not be concerned even if their child has multiple imaginary friends. According to Majors, it is a perfectly normal habit and a healthy phenomenon for normal children.
The study also found that girls tend to adopt younger companions while boys gravitate towards older, heroic characters. It is most common for only children or those with a large age gap from their siblings to create imaginary friends. Additionally, imaginary friends often emerge when a new sibling is born or when a child is dealing with bullying.
In some cases, imaginary friends are simply a result of wish fulfillment, particularly when a child desires a pet or another object. For example, one little girl had an imaginary pony named Minty for several years.
Previous research by psychologist Anna Toby supports the idea that an active imagination should be encouraged. Her study found that children with imaginary companions have more advanced communication skills.
So, to all the worried parents out there, rest assured that imaginary friends can be a positive and normal part of a child’s development.
