[lifehacker]

DD told me today after kindy that she had a new friend. I said that was nice and asked her the friends name, she said "Zoe". I mumbled something else about that being a nice name. She then said "But you can't see her", "she told me she dissapears when other people come". She then told me "Zoe" was sitting in the carseat in the back of the car and that she could change colours so that's why I couldn't see her. I don't know why but I wanted to cry
Should I be worried? This is her 2nd term at kindy and I know it's been a huge change for her, she has often told e she doesn't have any friends at kindy but when I spoke to the teacher she said it's totally normal for them to say that.
Normal?

[Beltie]

Normal!

Catalyst (ABC science show) did a story about it a few years ago. Here's the link:

Imaginary friends - ABC

DD1 had an imaginary friend called Toby when she was 2. He could be naughty (according to DD) but usually he was just a great conversationalist at quiet times.

[SqueakyBee]

I don't belong in this section, but I'm popping in to say that there's research to suggest that imaginary friends are a sign of a good imagination. It's normal and healthy!

Can you go early to kindy pickup and quietly observe your daughter's interactions with the other kids? Not sure if they encourage that.

[lifehacker]

Thankyou!! Gaah I feel a bit silly but I have been beside myself with worry all afternoon. Taking a deep breath now.

[lifehacker]

Can you go early to kindy pickup and quietly observe your daughter's interactions with the other kids? Not sure if they encourage that.

thanks, yes I probably can do that, although they are usually in 'group time' when I come to pick her up. I spend a bit of time at kindy and she seems just fine, playing 'alongside' other kids but from my older children, I remember that being quite usual at that age.

[Lynken]

My now-4.5-year-old DD had an imaginary friend who first appeared around the time she turned three. It was also around the time DS was born and she started 3 year old kindy. Her friend was Zoe too!

DD's Zoe made sporadic appearances (ie: didn't seemed tied to any particular event, emotion, etc...). I assumed it was her way of coping with a lot of changes and as it didn't become obsessive in any way, I just left her to it. Zoe popped up again late last year for a few days but nothing since.

The clip Beltie posted is really good. Definitely a normal phase.

[iwanttosleepin]

I had an imaginary friend! At one stage I had 3.
I don't remember them at all but my parents take great delight in reminding me of them.
Apparently they lived in a shoebox.

[with the goo goo...]

I too had an imaginary friend. His name was Ghostie and he lived under my bed and used to come with me to Kookaburra School. So I guess I had a whole imaginary life happening. I still remember it all and look back on those years (probably from a bit before I started school till around year 1) with some fondness.

[veggiepatchfamil...]

So glad you posted this topic.
DS has just started playing with an imaginary friend the last few days. It doesn't have a name (but DS not big on naming things) but its a boy.
His only there sporadically.
Glad to read its normal. I've always has a super crazy imagination but never any imaginary friends..

[NotBitzerMaloney]

Nothing to worry about at all.

DS got an imaginary friend for a while. However.... he borrowed Soren Lorenson, so I felt that negated any of the positives re creativity if he couldn't come up with his own friend!