Is It Normal for Your Child to Have an Imaginary Friend?
- Joyce Ng
- Nov 15, 2022
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 5
You’re out enjoying a family meal at a kid-friendly restaurant when your little one suddenly insists you make room for “Jessie,” their invisible companion. You might feel amused—or maybe a little concerned. Should you play along? Is it normal for children to have imaginary friends?
Let’s explore what imaginary friends are, why children create them, and how parents can respond in supportive ways.
What Are Imaginary Friends?
Imaginary friends, or “imaginary companions,” are make-believe figures that many children invent. They can take any form—another child, a superhero, a talking animal, or even a favorite toy that “comes alive.”
Although it might seem unusual, having an imaginary friend is actually quite common and perfectly normal. It’s a creative part of childhood development that can play a meaningful role in your child’s emotional and social growth.
Why Do Children Create Imaginary Friends?
Children often develop imaginary friends for various reasons. Some do so to satisfy a longing for companionship, particularly if they’re an only child or the eldest child in the family. Others might be experimenting with their newly developing social skills or trying to make sense of the world around them.
Your child’s imaginary friend could be someone who:
Listens without judgment
Provides comfort and companionship
Encourages imaginative play
Lets your child feel understood and supported
Allows them to take the lead and build confidence
Imaginary friends can serve as emotional outlets. For instance, your child might talk to their pretend buddy about situations they find confusing or stressful. This imaginative process helps them navigate emotions in a safe, controlled way.
The Benefits of Having an Imaginary Friend
Imaginary friends aren’t just figments of imagination—they actually contribute positively to a child’s growth. Here are a few key benefits:
Easing Transitions and Emotional Challenges When children face big changes—such as starting preschool, going back to school after a holiday, or welcoming a new sibling—their imaginary friend can help them cope. It provides emotional reassurance and stability.
Facilitating Communication Sometimes, children find it hard to express certain feelings. Talking about things through an imaginary friend gives parents insight into what their child might be thinking or feeling.
Enhancing Creativity and Problem-Solving Pretend play encourages imagination, storytelling, and decision-making—skills that benefit children in both learning and social environments.
Developing Empathy and Emotional Understanding By interacting with an imaginary friend, children learn about empathy, cooperation, and responsibility. They practice thinking from another perspective, even if that “someone else” is make-believe.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we see how imagination and creativity shape a child’s early years. Our Tampines preschool programs encourage pretend play and social learning, helping children express themselves freely while building confidence and emotional intelligence.
How to Support Your Child and Their Imaginary Friend
While imaginary friends are normal, parents often wonder how far to go when engaging with them. Here are some useful ways to navigate this stage.
1. Know When to Play Along—and When to Set Boundaries
It’s perfectly fine to acknowledge your child’s imaginary friend. Playing along occasionally shows that you value your child’s imagination and feelings.
However, if your child starts blaming misbehavior on their imaginary friend (“Jessie spilled the juice, not me!”), it’s important to set limits. Gently remind your child that both they and Jessie must take responsibility for their actions. This helps them learn accountability and understand consequences.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, teachers use similar methods to guide children in our Tampines nursery and Tampines child care programs. We encourage imaginative play but also help children differentiate between make-believe and real-world behavior through age-appropriate lessons and discussions.
2. Have Open and Frequent Conversations
If your child’s imaginary friend is sometimes “scary” or causes anxiety—like a monster or mythical creature—regular discussions can help ease their fears. Talk about what’s real and what’s imaginary in a calm, reassuring tone.
Our teachers at Genesis Childcare 1989 are trained to help children manage emotions and fears through gentle communication and creative expression. In our Tampines preschool and Tampines child care environments, we nurture emotional resilience by helping children articulate feelings instead of bottling them up.
When to Worry About Imaginary Friends
While most imaginary companions are harmless, there are a few situations where you should pay closer attention.
1. When Your Child Always Talks Through Their Imaginary Friend
If your child insists on consulting Jessie before every decision—“Let me ask Jessie first”—or wants you to talk to Jessie instead of them, it may signal dependency. Encourage your child to express their own thoughts and ideas: “I’d like to hear what you think about this.”
This gently reinforces the idea that their voice matters most.
2. When They Expect You to Care for the Imaginary Friend
If your child starts requesting an extra meal or bed space for Jessie, it’s time to establish clear boundaries. While playing along is fine occasionally, catering to every imaginary demand can give your child an unhealthy sense of control.
Explain that Jessie exists in their imagination and doesn’t need real-world things. This helps children understand limits—a vital life skill that we also teach in our Tampines preschool classrooms.
3. When Imaginary Friends Replace Real Ones
If your child begins rejecting opportunities to play with real friends in favor of their imaginary one, it may be time for more social interaction. Encourage group playdates, outdoor activities, or preschool enrollment where your child can build healthy friendships.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we provide plenty of opportunities for children to connect with peers in a warm, nurturing environment. Our Tampines nursery and Tampines child care programs focus on teamwork, sharing, and collaborative play to build confidence and communication skills.
Building a Supportive Environment for Imagination and Growth
Every child’s imagination is unique. Some may create stories, others imaginary friends—and both are signs of healthy development. As parents, the key is to encourage imagination while providing loving structure and support.
That’s where the right early learning environment makes all the difference.
Genesis Childcare 1989 — Nurturing Young Minds in Tampines
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we believe every child deserves a safe and stimulating space to grow, explore, and learn. With over 30 years of trusted experience, we have become one of the most established names in Tampines childcare and Tampines preschool education.
Our philosophy centers around partnering closely with parents to ensure each child receives holistic development—emotionally, socially, and intellectually.
Our Tampines Infant Care (Nurture Infant House) provides a warm, nurturing environment for babies to develop essential sensory and motor skills. Our teachers are gentle, patient, and experienced in caring for infants with utmost attentiveness.
Our Tampines Nursery and Child Care Programs are designed to foster independence, creativity, and confidence. Children engage in meaningful play that promotes problem-solving, teamwork, and communication.
Our Tampines Preschool Curriculum prepares young learners for primary school with a balanced blend of academic readiness and emotional development.
Parents who choose Genesis Childcare 1989 often express how their children grow more confident, communicative, and independent through our guided programs.
Final Thoughts
Imaginary friends are a beautiful reflection of a child’s creativity and emotional world. As parents, your role is to embrace this stage with patience, understanding, and gentle boundaries. Encourage your little one’s imagination—but also guide them toward meaningful, real-world relationships and experiences.
If you’re looking for a trusted partner to support your child’s early growth journey, Genesis Childcare 1989 is here to help. Our Tampines infant care, Tampines child care, Tampines preschool, and Tampines nursery programs are thoughtfully designed to provide the perfect foundation for your child’s emotional and intellectual development.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, every giggle, every story, and yes—even every imaginary friend—is valued as part of your child’s wonderful path of learning and discovery.
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Genesis Tampines Childcare 1989 is one of the best preschool and childcare in Tampines. Our Preschool Tampines have over 30 years of experience in nurturing thousands of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. At our Tampines Childcare, we advocate that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished.
As a leading early childhood center in Singapore since 1989, we are committed to nurturing our early learners holistically through various learning areas and positive learning dispositions. We place a strong emphasis on the way our teachers facilitate and interact with the children.
Our Childcare Tampines believe that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished. Hence, our holistic curriculum aims to create meaningful learning experiences for each and every one of them!
Our Playgroup Tampines provides parents with the confidence that their children are in the good hands of our trained and caring teachers.
Our professional team of preschool teachers has a good understanding of child development and learning principles. We apply them efficiently and set the stage to create a meaningful learning experience that supports your child's discovery.
We consistently create a positive and cozy environment that will give your child a sense of security which builds their self-confidence to explore the world around them.
If you are looking for a good Tampines infant care or Tampines preschool or Tampines childcare near Tampines Central, do consider Nurture Infant House or Genesis Childcare 1989.
Located alongside our childcare in Tampines is our Nurture Infant House. If you are looking for Tampines infant care or infant care in Tampines, do visit Nurture Infant House. It is for infants aged 2 months to 18 months old. You can learn more about our infant care Tampines here.
Lastly, would you like to visit our Genesis Childcare 1989 to find out more about our environment and setup as well as understand our operations by talking to our teachers and supervisor?
Genesis Childcare 1989 (Playgroup to Kindergarten 2)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-63/65 S(520433)
Nurture Infant House (2 to 18 months Infants)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-61 S(520433)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (7am to 7pm) & Saturday (7am to 2pm)
Public Bus services: 8 / 21 / 28 / 29 / 293
Tel: 96664141
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