Childhood Socialization

There is a stigma that only lonely or socially-impaired children play with imaginary friends. Studies have proven this to be untrue. In fact, many children develop imaginary friends. It is a completely normal stage of development. Many psychological benefits are linked to a child creating an imaginary friend.

Imaginary friends can be any entity that your child interacts with on a consistent basis. This can occur in many different ways. This includes completely created personages, fictional characters, or even pretending that stuffed animals are real.

Benefits of Playing with Imaginary Friends

Studies have shown that imaginary friends actually aid in psychological development. Imaginary friends indicate healthy, active imaginations. Additionally, they help to give your child an outlet to express their emotions. Children with imaginary friends tend to get along better with their classmates and also have a fuller, more extensive vocabulary.

The majority of children know that their imaginary friend isn’t real. Having an imaginary friend is no indication of their failure to understand reality. In addition, children who play with imaginary friends tend to be less shy. They laugh and smile more and have an easier time understanding the concept of empathy.

How to React to an Imaginary Friend

You shouldn’t discourage your child from having an imaginary friend and don’t tell them that the imaginary friend doesn’t exist. Children usually grow out of their imaginary friends and often forget that they ever had them. Refrain from criticizing the age at which your child grows out of their imaginary friend. Age limits on imaginary friends are cultural and are not backed up by scientific evidence.

Let your child have control over their imaginary friend. Allow them to tell you what their imaginary friend is doing, rather than imposing any structure on it. Allowing your child to have control will help optimize their overall development.

Imaginary friends are extremely common for children. Encourage your child’s creative development and refrain from criticizing their development of an imaginary friend.

Separation anxiety is extremely common in younger children, though it can even occur in older children. It tends to develop under two years, but it can actually occur at many different stages in a child’s life. Separation anxiety can develop after a particularly stressful occurrence, such as divorce, a change in environment, or when the child is beginning to feel ill. It can also be a long-lasting disorder that isn’t necessarily caused by anything. Separation anxiety isn’t always a bad thing; in many instances it indicates a deep bond between the child and their caregiver.

Signs of Separation Anxiety

Signs of separation anxiety usually occur whenever a caregiver is departing or after a caregiver has left. They may display behaviors such as clinging to you when you try to leave, throwing tantrums, or displaying fear or restlessness when you are absent. They may also complain about feeling physically ill, particularly when anticipating separation.

Helping a Child With Separation Anxiety

There are several ways you can help ease your child’s transition to being apart if they have separation anxiety. Ensure that you always say goodbye. Never sneak off without going over your typical goodbye routine. Furthermore, develop a consistent goodbye system. Say the same phrase or perform the same action every time you leave. This will help your child build confidence that you will return and will know the exact moment of separation.

Communicate with your child. Let them know that you intend to return and inform them when you will be back. Build trust by coming back consistently when you say you will. Inform them of any upcoming changes to their routine.

Practicing being apart from each other can help your child adjust. Schedule play dates or send your child on visits to grandma. Leave them with a babysitter for an hour while you run errands. A child will adjust better to being away from you if they are in a familiar environment. This is why it is important to spend time with your child in an unfamiliar environment before you leave them there.

Many children have separation anxiety. It is important to take steps to prevent the situation from escalating. Refrain from excessive reassurance or not leaving after the ritual goodbye has been completed. All of these actions can help your children adjust to being away from you, even if they have separation anxiety.

It’s time for bed! You’re ready to turn in for the night and your child tells you that they need a Valentine’s Day box by tomorrow. Now it’s crunch time. Luckily, there are many ways to use everyday household objects to create a cute Valentine’s Day box! Here are just a few ideas for your child’s Valentine’s Day box.

Boxes

There are many ways to repurpose boxes. Shoeboxes, cereal boxes, and tissue boxes can all be used to create simple Valentine’s Day boxes. Cover them with construction paper. Then, you can draw whatever designs you’d like! Adding stickers, drawings, and more can add to the appearance of the Valentine’s Day box. Once the box is covered with construction paper, you can use scissors or a box cutter to create an opening for valentines.

Monsters

A monster Valentine’s Day box is much easier than it sounds, especially with a tissue box. With the tissue box, place googly eyes above the opening. You can also fix googly eyes or construction paper eyes on top of pipe cleaners around the opening. You can recycle egg cartons to make eyes, as well. Use card stock to create sharp teeth, which you can place on the opening. Yarn can be used to create hair, which can help customize the box!

Unicorns

Wrap white paper over a box. Then, you can make ears, eyes, and a nose out of paper. Roll construction paper into a cone shape and affix it to the top of the box to form the unicorn’s horn! Yarn can also be used here to create a mane for the unicorn.

Last minute crafts can be stressful, but there is no reason to stress too much over your child’s Valentine’s Day box. Construction paper and boxes are really the only thing you need! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Benefits of Playing with Imaginary Friends

How to React to an Imaginary Friend

Signs of Separation Anxiety

Helping a Child With Separation Anxiety

Boxes

Monsters

Unicorns

About Us

Contact Us

Are Imaginary Friends Healthy?

Benefits of Playing with Imaginary Friends

How to React to an Imaginary Friend

Signs of Separation Anxiety

Helping a Child With Separation Anxiety

Boxes

Monsters

Unicorns

About Us

Contact Us