Imaginary Friends
Posted by
admin 5 January, 2009
(0) Comment
Imaginary playmates are a perfectly normal part of childhood that can offer youngsters a feeling of control in their lives. These invisible friends are not an indication of a mental health problem but are a common fact of life in many well-adjusted, creative children. Many children develop imaginary playmates between the ages of three and five, when they begin to form their own identities and to test the boundaries between fantasy and reality.
Imaginary friends enable children to try out different roles and allow children to explore issues of control and power without worrying about interactions with real authority figures. An imaginary friend can help a child work out difficult emotions and handle anxieties associated with major changes in the child’s life. Parents can monitor their child’s relationship with an imaginary friend to gain insights into how the child is coping.
While it is perfectly acceptable for parents to support the child’s belief, they should not get too involved in the playacting so that the children feel they have lost control of the game. Parents should not belittle the relationship nor let the imaginary playmate take the blame for the child’s mistakes. Children who see their parents taking the imaginary friend too seriously may worry that the adults don’t know what is real and what is make believe.
An imaginary friend should become of concern only when the child avoids meaningful interaction with other children in favor of playing exclusively with an invented friend. Most children abandon their imaginary friends once kindergarten begins. A child who continues to focus intently on an imaginary playmate beyond that time may benefit from a professional consultation to explore any hidden worries.
Categories : Health and Wellness
