Young children often have imaginary friends
About two-thirds of children have played with imaginary companions by age 7, and one-third still have them at 7
"Cecil" is an imaginary friend drawn by a 7-year-old boy. A growing body of research indicates that "pretend" friends can help children practice conflict resolution and other life skills
Imaginary companions have had a bad rap from psychologists for a long time
Kids who have imaginary friends feel just as competent and popular as those who don't
Imaginary friends are a pretty normal part of growing up, especially during the toddler years, and they serve several important functions:
They can be wonderful companions for pretend play
They can act as a child's trusted confidant
They can help kids figure out the difference between right and wrong
They can give you some valuable insights into your child's feelings
Most kids lose their imaginary friends between their third and fifth birthdays
clipped from: www.familyresource.com 
