Have you ever had an imaginary companion during your childhood, perhaps even a whole group of merry make-believe friends? Research spanning several decades suggests that the majority of individuals have experienced an imaginary friend at some stage in their early years. However, parents shouldn’t have cause for concern with this.
To demonstrate the diverse and fascinating nature of imaginary friends, the team at AAA State of Play team has published a new infographic that looks at 38 imaginary friends and the life advice they provide. This collection celebrates the power of imagination, storytelling, and the magic of pretend play. Included in this compilation are imaginary friends from literature, movies, TV series, and video games.
According to the insights of Clinical Psychologist Kate Eshleman, Psy.D., from the esteemed Cleveland Clinic, children often utilize imaginary friends as a means to reenact or process various life experiences. It serves as a way for them to hone their social skills and make sense of the things they encounter. Having an imaginary friend does not indicate any problems with a child’s development. Imaginary friends can take on various forms, ranging from real-life stuffed animals that a child roleplays with to completely fictional figments of their imagination. The possibilities are limitless, reflecting the boundless creativity of the human mind.
There are many memorable fictional characters included on this infographic, along with some great quotes. These include Winnie the Pooh, who says “I always get to where I’m going by walking away from where I have been.” The iconic Barney the Dinosaur is featured on this infographic too, with his featured quote reading as “Hello again to all my friends. I’m glad you came to play. Our fun and learning never ends. Here’s what we did today!” What’s your favorite quote from this infographic that comes from one of these memorable fictional characters?
