<![CDATA[Children and their imaginary friends]]>DS is 6 yrs old, a single child. He has this Snitch stuff toy that he brings everywhere he goes in the house except toilets. He imagines Snitch as his son and my grandson. And so I've to 'talk' to Snitch every night before lights out, otherwise Snitch will get lonely. When we read storybooks together, sometimes Snitch will be the one reading (ds pretends to change his voice to that of Snitch) :roll: .


For a 6 yr old boy to be still playing with stuff toy, is this alright? I've told him about Chucky the murderous doll but it doesn't bother him. :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/17693/children-and-their-imaginary-friendsRSS for NodeMon, 04 May 2026 17:33:03 GMTFri, 31 Dec 2010 01:04:10 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:03:39 GMT]]>Actually my gal is 8 and also has imaginary friends. I m not worried that she talks to her toys. I m more worried that she doesn’t make friends in school. She is a loner. She takes lunch during recess alone. She worrys no one talks to her. She has friends for 1 year but that friend got to know new friend and they drifted apart. What should I do??!!!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/686141https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/686141Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:03:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:38:57 GMT]]>I googled and seemed like there’s not many posts on this topic.


When should parents be worried when our kids have imaginary friends?

My elder boy, now 4 yr old, started to have imaginary siblings after the arrival of my bb. Past 6mths now, he’s still talking about them. At first, he claimed to have an elder Korkor, then Jiejie. Besides that, he also imagine he is some character or baby animal. He will invent his own language and claims the baby speaks this language. Should I be worried ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/649438https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/649438Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:38:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:43:55 GMT]]>

jtoh:
Yes, it's so sad isn't it? Especially when the little ones want to commit suicide because they can't deal with it.

Feel so sad for those kids and their parents. Mental illness is terrible.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341852https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341852Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:43:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:37:22 GMT]]>

markfch:
chamonix:

But now, imaginary friends have become a thing in the past for both. Perhaps that is part and parcel of growing up.


Will note when ds's imaginary friends will disappear, then I'll know that he matured to the next stage of his life.

Pretend play will eventually go out the door too. Chased out by all their school work and life's other realities. :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341851https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341851Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:37:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:27:29 GMT]]>Yes, it’s so sad isn’t it? Especially when the little ones want to commit suicide because they can’t deal with it.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341741https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341741Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:27:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:26:40 GMT]]>

jtoh:

After the page loads, refresh it. That's what I did and I could see the video. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/inside-world-childhood-schizophrenia-10090286
Managed to see it now. It's sad for those kids to be under so much mental pressure.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341740https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341740Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:26:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:19:43 GMT]]>Thanks for sharing, jtoh.


I've learned more about schizophrenic from the video,
didn't know children could suffer from it.

Hopefully, there is a cure for it. 🙏

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341734https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341734Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:19:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:15:21 GMT]]>

jtoh:
markfch:

[quote=\"jtoh\"]This is something quite different from the innocent imaginary friends we're talking about in this thread. But the discussion reminded me of this video I'd seen of a little girl with lots of imaginary friends who was later diagnosed to have childhood schizophrenia. It's quite disturbing so thought I'd share it.


http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/inside-world-childhood-schizophrenia-10090286

Went to the url but can't see the video.

After the page loads, refresh it. That's what I did and I could see the video. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/inside-world-childhood-schizophrenia-10090286[/quote] :shock: It is really very unsettling to see someone so young in this manner.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341730https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341730Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:15:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:55:30 GMT]]>

markfch:
jtoh:

This is something quite different from the innocent imaginary friends we're talking about in this thread. But the discussion reminded me of this video I'd seen of a little girl with lots of imaginary friends who was later diagnosed to have childhood schizophrenia. It's quite disturbing so thought I'd share it.


http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/inside-world-childhood-schizophrenia-10090286

Went to the url but can't see the video.

After the page loads, refresh it. That's what I did and I could see the video. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/inside-world-childhood-schizophrenia-10090286

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341694https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341694Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:55:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:01:47 GMT]]>

jtoh:
This is something quite different from the innocent imaginary friends we're talking about in this thread. But the discussion reminded me of this video I'd seen of a little girl with lots of imaginary friends who was later diagnosed to have childhood schizophrenia. It's quite disturbing so thought I'd share it.


http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/inside-world-childhood-schizophrenia-10090286
Went to the url but can't see the video.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341617https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341617Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:01:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:47:14 GMT]]>This is something quite different from the innocent imaginary friends we're talking about in this thread. But the discussion reminded me of this video I'd seen of a little girl with lots of imaginary friends who was later diagnosed to have childhood schizophrenia. It's quite disturbing so thought I'd share it.



http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/inside-world-childhood-schizophrenia-10090286

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341309https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341309Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:47:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:09:24 GMT]]>

chamonix:
But now, imaginary friends have become a thing in the past for both. Perhaps that is part and parcel of growing up.

Will note when ds's imaginary friends will disappear, then I'll know that he matured to the next stage of his life.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341167https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/341167Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:09:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:53:15 GMT]]>

markfch:
aqeqiq:

My dd is now 9 and she occasionally still makes up imaginary friends. She has had such \"pals\" since she was 3. Btw, they can be \"people\" or \"animals\". haha. I remember her preschool teacher informing me in a very worried tone about it and was surprised that I showed no concern. To me it just means she has a vivid imagination and as long as she is not lost in an imaginary world and unable to interact, I am fine with it. Though she is an only child, she is definitely not lonely. I think you've got to see the overall behaviour of the child and not just at the fact that they have imaginary friends.


Oh yours also single child like mine. Sometimes mine will manhandle Snitch to play the piano and he'll sing along like a duet. A lot of patterns come out during piano practice. And I'm forbidden to leave the piano room cos someone must applaud after Snitch finished playing. :roll:

\"Only child\" is definitely not the only explanation. Both mine had imaginary friends too. My son's imaginary friend appeared at around 3 yrs old. I could still remember him telling us to be careful and not to sit on his \"fox\" (empty air). My daughter, slightly better, called her stuff toys her friends. She had a few favourite which she spent time with all day long, whether she was reading, playing or sleeping. She would even wake me up in the middle of the night to help her find her \"friends\".

But now, imaginary friends have become a thing in the past for both. Perhaps that is part and parcel of growing up.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340938https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340938Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:53:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:05:49 GMT]]>must thank markfch for starting this thread


at least it brings back fond memories of our kids when they were young with their imaginary friends and we parents had to participate :thankyou:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340929https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340929Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:05:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:17:58 GMT]]>

aqeqiq:
My dd is now 9 and she occasionally still makes up imaginary friends. She has had such \"pals\" since she was 3. Btw, they can be \"people\" or \"animals\". haha. I remember her preschool teacher informing me in a very worried tone about it and was surprised that I showed no concern. To me it just means she has a vivid imagination and as long as she is not lost in an imaginary world and unable to interact, I am fine with it. Though she is an only child, she is definitely not lonely. I think you've got to see the overall behaviour of the child and not just at the fact that they have imaginary friends.

Oh yours also single child like mine. Sometimes mine will manhandle Snitch to play the piano and he'll sing along like a duet. A lot of patterns come out during piano practice. And I'm forbidden to leave the piano room cos someone must applaud after Snitch finished playing. :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340858https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340858Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:17:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:38:08 GMT]]>My dd is now 9 and she occasionally still makes up imaginary friends. She has had such "pals" since she was 3. Btw, they can be "people" or "animals". haha. I remember her preschool teacher informing me in a very worried tone about it and was surprised that I showed no concern. To me it just means she has a vivid imagination and as long as she is not lost in an imaginary world and unable to interact, I am fine with it. Though she is an only child, she is definitely not lonely. I think you’ve got to see the overall behaviour of the child and not just at the fact that they have imaginary friends.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340754https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340754Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:38:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:16:02 GMT]]>

Alex001:
Children with imaginary friends may be lonely.
I felt a tinge of sadness when I read the above sentence. Cos it is true for my ds's case.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340743https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340743Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:16:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:13:20 GMT]]>

E3:

We read an article about kids having imaginary friends and we were more relieved after knowing that it's actually quite a good thing. They could even be gifted to a certain extent. Well...this lasted for more than a year before her sibling came along. Somehow, she just outgrew it.
Wow E3, you put the word 'gifted' and my ds in the same sentence. :lol: Can elaborate further on the article?

I took a glance at ds just now. I look right look left but ds doesn't seem the least bit gifted leh, keke.

Though I must say at least he's pretty adept at grasping maths concepts since young. 😆

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340742https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340742Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:13:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:07:39 GMT]]>All kids have imaginary friends. This is natural and is meant to cultivate their imagination.


Try exposing him to newer environments - the park, the playground, a child care centre etc. Children with imaginary friends may be lonely.

Otherwise, try finding more about this Snitch. Instead of going against it, try working with it to teach your child good values. It could help. It may even turn a nuisance into a teacher.

If none of the above works, just let the flow go.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340736https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340736Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:07:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:57:46 GMT]]>

markfch:
deminc:

He himself is not a stuffed toy person from birth, but ds2 has a super soft spot for stuffed toy and treats them so earnestly that ds1 got quite into it. I think it's very cute to watch them give the various toys names and voices, haha. They will even make lego weapons for their animals to wear or make little hammocks for them to sleep in. Nothing to worry lah.


Thanks. After hearing from you people, I'm certainly reassured.

I just want to share my dd1's experience with imaginary friend.

When she was still a single-child, she had this imaginary friend whom she would talk to and play with. She even gave \"her\" a name. We had to leave a seat for \"her\" during meal times and \"she\" travelled in the car with us. My mum used to freak out everytime she mentioned her \"friend\".

We read an article about kids having imaginary friends and we were more relieved after knowing that it's actually quite a good thing. They could even be gifted to a certain extent. Well...this lasted for more than a year before her sibling came along. Somehow, she just outgrew it.

So, markfch, once your ds gets busier with his primary school life, his \"friend\" will leave him too, which I felt is rather sad, but the kid will be oblivous.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340665https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340665Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:57:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 03:19:53 GMT]]>

markfch:
deminc:

He himself is not a stuffed toy person from birth, but ds2 has a super soft spot for stuffed toy and treats them so earnestly that ds1 got quite into it. I think it's very cute to watch them give the various toys names and voices, haha. They will even make lego weapons for their animals to wear or make little hammocks for them to sleep in. Nothing to worry lah.


Thanks. After hearing from you people, I'm certainly reassured.

I guess your DS would have been talking to his \"friends\" these few days after coming home from school ....... updating them about school life ...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/327567https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/327567Fri, 07 Jan 2011 03:19:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 02:35:00 GMT]]>

deminc:
He himself is not a stuffed toy person from birth, but ds2 has a super soft spot for stuffed toy and treats them so earnestly that ds1 got quite into it. I think it's very cute to watch them give the various toys names and voices, haha. They will even make lego weapons for their animals to wear or make little hammocks for them to sleep in. Nothing to worry lah.

Thanks. After hearing from you people, I'm certainly reassured.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/323636https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/323636Sat, 01 Jan 2011 02:35:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 02:33:39 GMT]]>

Angelight:
Don't worry lah, Markfch. Only child in the family is usually lonely and tends to talk to his/her stuff toys like they are real. My DD is also like that. She treats her soft toys as her \"babies\" and will bathe, feed and even take care of them when they are \"sick\". I believe it's a passing phase they will grow out of. 😄

Wow, your dd is more into this than my ds man! That's the beauty of the forum. You find out that you're not alone 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/323635https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/323635Sat, 01 Jan 2011 02:33:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Children and their imaginary friends on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 16:59:09 GMT]]>

markfch:

Oh, your 6 yr old boy also plays stuff toys. Glad to know that. So I'll assume that there's nothing for me to be concerned about then 😄 .
He himself is not a stuffed toy person from birth, but ds2 has a super soft spot for stuffed toy and treats them so earnestly that ds1 got quite into it. I think it's very cute to watch them give the various toys names and voices, haha. They will even make lego weapons for their animals to wear or make little hammocks for them to sleep in. Nothing to worry lah.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/323581https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/323581Fri, 31 Dec 2010 16:59:09 GMT