Don’t panic if you hear your child chattering away into thin air or have to host an invisible house guest.  A healthy active imagination can give rise to imaginary friends in preschoolers and beyond.

Imaginary friends are make-believe friends that your child creates in his mind and they come in all shapes and sizes. They can be inspired by characters in a favourite storybook, a soft toy, someone they already know, or be entirely a creation of their own imagination. An imaginary friend is there for your child: paying attention to how they feel, playing with them, doing the things they can’t do, and never finding fault or criticising.

According to a study by University of Washington and University of Oregon psychologists, by age seven, 65 percent of children have had an imaginary friend at some point. Imaginary friends allow children to explore a fictional world that they build by themselves. By the way your child plays or talks with their imaginary friend, you can gain a better understanding of your child’s inner world, what they like or don’t, their tastes, and how they are feeling.

Children with imaginary friends tend to be less shy, more social and display more compassion and responsiveness in their play with other children. They use their friends to improve their verbal skills, confidence and for role play. So next time, don’t be afraid to open doors, cook a meal or read a book to your child’s imaginary friend. Welcome them into your child’s world, knowing that one day your child will outgrow their imaginary friend(s), but will probably remember them for the rest of their lives.