Imaginary companions play a healthy role in children's cognitive and emotional development.
Children with imaginary companions are often more advanced in their social understanding and are particularly likely to get along well with others. Imaginary companions are intriguing to parents, educators, and psychologists alike because they demonstrate children's creativity and provide insights about children's thoughts and feelings. Although the stereotype of a child with an imaginary companion is of someone who is unusually shy, or possibly troubled, the reality is much more positive. In fact, children with imaginary companions are often more advanced in their social understanding and are particularly likely to get along well with others. She did her undergraduate work in Nova Scotia at Arcadia University and received her Ph.D. from Stanford University.