Santa Claus is coming to town—or is he?
This is Sandra Loh with the Loh Down on Science, saying:
Of course he is! All kids know that! Of course, children can also have imaginary friends.
Meet Psychologist Stephanie Carlson from the University of Washington and Marjorie Taylor from the University of Oregon. They interviewed 152 preschoolers and their parents.
Nearly two-thirds of the children reported having at least one imaginary friend by the time they were seven. 67% were invisible. 41% were animals. 27% had been kept a secret from the children’s parents. Some were more nuisance than fun. All perfectly normal, researchers say.
Having an imaginary friend may help kids learn to deal with social situations and help develop their capacity for abstract thought.
But for Santa’s reindeer? Put those carrots out!
Reference: Taylor, M., Carlson, S. M., Maring, B. L., Gerow, L., & Charley, C. M. (2004). The characteristics and correlates of fantasy in school-age children: imaginary companions, impersonation, and social understanding. Developmental psychology, 40(6), 1173–1187. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.40.6.1173