Imaginary friends can be confusing and disturbing to some parents, but they are not uncommon and should be taken seriously.

According to a study done by the University of Oregon, by the age of seven, 37 per cent of children have taken on some kind of imaginative play leading to imaginary friends.

Imaginary friends rarely last into a child’s teenage years, but if you are worried about it here are some facts to put you at ease.

Imaginary friends are completely normal

Just because your child is talking to ‘someone’ or ‘something’ doesn’t mean there is something wrong with them. It means they are exercising their imagination in the best way. Imaginary friends are a creative outlet and nothing to panic about.

Don’t tell your child off for having an imaginary friend

It’s wildly unfair to tell your child that what they believe is wrong or strange. Don’t project your own feelings of fear or inadequacy onto your child, they’re not doing anything wrong.

Don’t tell your child to ‘Stop pretending’

Imaginary friends are real to children and so don’t be such a party pooper, let them have their fun. And definitely do not make fun of your child, you could do some serious damage.

Research shows they are more social

Imaginary friends can signal that your child is highly sociable and really enjoys interacting with others. It does not automatically mean that they are lonely and that you should worry.

Talk to your child about their friend, ask them questions

Your child's imaginary friend is a huge part of their lives, so ask your child questions. What are they called, where are they now, do they have any friends? Make them a part of your day as well, if you have the time make sure you’re not stepping on any toes.

Use the imaginary friend for chores

If your child likes encouragement to complete tasks, get the imaginary friend involved, see if they can beat their friend to do tasks. This will also make it a lot more fun for your child.