Is it normal to still have imaginary friends?

Having an imaginary friend, sometimes called an imaginary companion, is considered a normal and even healthy part of childhood play. Earlier research states as many as 65 percent of children up to age 7 had an imaginary friend.

At what age do you stop having imaginary friends?

For most children, imaginary friends taper off by late elementary school—around age 8 or 9. For a few kids, though, invisible friends can last much longer, even into the teen years.

Is it normal for a teenager to have an imaginary friend?

You might assume that only very young children have imaginary friends, but research has shown that older kids have imaginary pals, too. “It’s common with children up to age 12,” says Dr. Eshleman. Imaginary friends can be figments of your child’s imagination.

Are imaginary friends a coping mechanism?

If these children are in a household that’s full of abuse – be it physical or emotional – imaginary friends are a coping mechanism that allows them to feel wanted and safer. They become a sense of psychological protection, and as the child grows and heals from the abuse, the imaginary friend may disappear.

Can imaginary friends be evil?

Imaginary companions are much more common than people might think. Historically, many researchers and parents thought that imaginary companions were harmful or evil, and were a sign of a social deficit, demonic possession, or mental illness.

Does every kid have an imaginary friend?

Not all kids have imaginary friends, but it’s very common and neither problematic nor a sign of extra intelligence.” Imaginary friends are a symptom of developing social intelligence in a kid. Although their companions are make-believe, children relate to imaginary beings in the same way they connect with real friends.

Why do kids have imaginary friends?

Imaginary friends allow children to explore a make-believe world that they create all by themselves. In fact, children with make-believe friends might be more imaginative and more likely to enjoy fantasy play and magical stories.