How do imaginary friends get created

Developmental psychologist Marjorie Taylor still remembers when she was introduced to a female veterinarian named Elfi Welfi back in the late s. Elfi was married to Sammy Whammy, and together they owned a few cats and dogs.

Elfi lived in a completely tie-dyed world—hair, skin, furniture, bed sheets, everything. And she was about as tall as a pinky finger. Her work has changed negative views of imaginary friends and has transformed how researchers approach studies on imagination. Elfi Welfi is one of the most memorable pretend friends whom Taylor has come across in her research.

According to Taylor and her colleagues in the field of imagination research, an imaginary companion is a friend whom a child has created, talks about, or interacts with on a regular basis.

Over the course of nearly 30 years, Taylor has heard of imaginary friends who can fly, live on the moon, become invisible, and breathe fire, and who can take the form of aliens, reptiles, and even real objects like stuffed animals. When Amber was 3 years old, she started talking about a boy named Michael Rose. Taylor started professionally studying imaginary companions in the late s, after attending a lecture by Harvard University psychologist Paul Harris.

He discussed a study in which he had presented an empty box to children and asked them to imagine that there was a monster inside. Even though they had seen that the box was empty, some of the kids were still afraid to go near it. The work compiles everything scientists had learned about childhood imagination up to that point and features the story of Amber and Michael Rose.

Taylor has played an important part in countering stereotypes that are often attributed to children with imaginary friends, Gleason says. Imaginary companions are much more common than people might think. They have also been shown to [have a better understanding of themselvels] and that the fact that their thoughts cannot leak out of their minds — something that children tend to find difficult to understand.

Some studies have found that children with imaginary friends are also more creative than others. With all these benefits though, it is currently hard to tell exactly whether imaginary friends actually cause them or whether children who are just generally more creative and socially aware are more likely to have such friends. These are all findings that point to positive social and emotional developments that serve an important purpose in childhood.

As we grow older, we typically have more freedom to make new friends and spend less time alone. We also understand the social world a lot better. However, while most children therefore stop playing with imaginary friends after a few years, some continue to spend time with them.

And researchers have discovered that the positive qualities of having imaginary friends in childhood continue through development.

Adolescents with problem behaviours who have imaginary friends have been found to have more positive adjustment and coping skills than those without. Adults can also have imaginary friends, though it is rare. The evidence suggests that the best thing to do is to accept the imaginary playmate and join in with the child. For example, if your child is playing with the friend before dinnertime, you might suggest setting the table for the friend as well.

Having an imaginary friend can help a child explore relationships and work their creativity. If your child tells you about their imaginary friend, ask questions. You can learn more about your child, their interests, and what the imaginary friend may be doing for them.

It can also help to play along. Set an extra place at dinner, or ask your child if their friend is coming on trips, for instance. If your child or their pretend friend becomes demanding or causes problems, you can set boundaries. Plus, setting boundaries can be a teaching moment. While most imaginary friends are thought of as kind, friendly, and obedient, not all have been described as so. Some have been called disruptive, rule breaking, or aggressive.

These more difficult relationships may still help a child navigate social relationships and cope with hard times in the real world. Every child is different and will grow out of this part of their lives at their own time.

There are more reports of children under 7 with imaginary friends, though other reports have shown imaginary friends existing in children up to 12 years old. When it comes to a vivid imagination, parents may question whether their child is in fact experiencing hallucinations or psychosis. Childhood-onset schizophrenia is rare and difficult to diagnose. When it does occur, it usually happens after age 5 but before If your child has sudden disruptive changes in their behavior and is experiencing something much more than an imaginary friend, reach out to their pediatrician or a mental health professional.

While schizophrenia symptoms and imaginary friends are often different and separate, there are other mental and physical conditions that may have a link. Research in , for instance, found that children who go on to develop dissociative disorders had a much higher likelihood of having an imaginary friend. Dissociative disorders are mental health conditions where a person experiences a disconnect from reality.

Other research has suggested that adults with Down syndrome have a higher rate of imaginary companions and are more likely to keep these friends into adulthood. In a recent study, researchers did find that 7. However, this was a small sample size and had some limitations. Further research is needed.