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Do you think it is healthy for children to have imaginary friends?

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topaz5433
topaz5433
Marked as Best! October 19, 2009 06:33 PM
Absolutley. An imagination is a wonderful thing. Kids these days have too much structure thrown at them and they need time to just sit, think and be a kid. I had an imaginary friend. She and I would run through the woods together, talk and just "be". I guess my pandas could be called imaginary in a way because they talked, ate and slept with me. I never would have gone on a vacation without 1 specific one.

Now, if a child is doing wrong thinks and blaming them on her friend too much (a little is expected isn't it?) or is saying that the friend is telling her to do bad things, that is a different story.
Also, if the imaginary friend is the only friend a child has, it may be an indication that the child needs more socialization with kids her own age. The last caveat I can think of is the child's age. Older ones (11+) seems too old to me.

But, in general, no, imaginary friends can be a great thing.
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thebandit
thebandit
October 19, 2009 06:37 PM
Most children have imaginary friends. If it's unhealthy for them, well, most of the children in the world are unhealthy!

Imaginary friends can be a great thing. They spur creativity in children, because not only are they coming up with a totally new fictional character, but they're often creating storylines for them. It's the same kind of imagination that's so valuable, and often in short supply, later in life. Why discourage it? Childhood is the time where such creativity is often rewarded the most!
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kimk
kimk
October 19, 2009 06:53 PM
Imaginary friends are not only healthy they also can be used as a great teaching tool. Honest is big one that I have used with imaginary friends especially when my youngest tries to blame him.

Imaginary friends also inspire the imagination and enhance creativity. This article on imaginary friends explains both the pros and cons of them.
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http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=122&am...
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jkepler
jkepler
October 19, 2009 07:31 PM
I know I'm in the minority, but I don't think it's particularly healthy. Kids have a limited grasp on reality due to their lack of worldly experience, and I think it's best not to confuse their learning process. My opinion is likely rooted in my upbringing, where I was told never to believe in Santa or other imaginary childhood fantasies. Kids have a lot to learn, so from my perspective it's better to focus on the stuff that will still matter to them when they're adults.
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vicgoodwin...
vicgoodwin...
October 19, 2009 08:25 PM
I think it is healthy and helps them form social skills. It aids children while they are learning those skills of conversation and it develops the ability to entertain themselves.

My 2 oldest children shared Shabbee Goodwin. What a fun time that was. I guess it was better with just the 3 of them instead of the 4 it could have been if they had both had their own.
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tealmyster
tealmyster
October 20, 2009 12:25 AM
It definetly helps form social skills. Sometimes it seems as if it allows the child to come out of their shell more. I mean once they get to certain age then it's probably not so healthy and I would guess around...9ish...would be the cutoff..It's hard to say every child is different and every parents idea of healthy and unhealthy is different.
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jillbeth
jillbeth
October 20, 2009 01:27 AM
Sure, most do. Very young children don't really form friendships as we adults think of them. Two or more may play together nicely but the concept of friendship is still a bit beyond their grasp. Imaginary friends are perhaps not so threatening as other children, they are what the child wants them to be and do as they are told. They don't take your toys away, and they don't hit you, either! Once they hit school and interact with more children their own age, kids begin to differentiate between fantasy and reality and the imaginary friends are usually forgotten.
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aaron1
aaron1
October 21, 2009 01:41 PM
yea i do cause i think it helps them wen there down and someone they can talk to and not be alone and i have when so wen im sad its there for me to be happy and im sure every one has one
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maimee
maimee
October 21, 2009 09:11 PM
I think having an imaginary friend is just a part of growing up and being little. Have you ever seen Drop Dead Fred? If you haven't, definitely watch it. Imaginary friends are good to an extent but when children start blaming their bad actions on their imaginary friend, then it's gone a bit too far. Other than that I think it's perfectly healthy though.
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