Imaginary play/imaginary friends

[Roo83]

Hi all

My ds is 2yrs 4mnths and has recently really got into imaginary play. He talks about 'the big bad wolf' all the time, and will invite him in to tea, or tell me they've been to thomas land for the day and things like that. I thought this was quite normal, and have been going along with it, asking what they ate for tea, or what rides they went on etc.

However, my friend was round with her dd who is almost 3yrs, and she is much more literal. If ds says something about the wolf, she will say 'dont be silly, theres no wolf here'. Or he will get in a box and say 'come in my boat' and she'll reply that its not a boat its just a box.

Now I'm wondering if I should be encouraging his imagination and imnaginary friends quite so much? Is this normal development, and the difference is just because friends dd is that bit older? How far do you take imaginary play?

Your friend is a loon and is stifling creativity as part of normal development. Ignore her!

DD (2.7) is constantly followed around by her 5 year old cousin. We'll be going upstairs for a bath and she'll be looking behind her saying 'come on Mildred (name changed to protect identity :o). She shares her meals with her and kisses her goodnight.

It's totally normal. Let him get on with it and watch, bemused at all the things he comes out with. Your friend is indeed a loon.

Sorry, dont think I worded that right...its my friends daughter that says those things, not my actual friend! But glad you agree I'm not turning him into a fantasist by playing along.

Encourage his imagination. The things he does sound totally normal, and let's face it, great fun

Ignore your friend. How boring to be stifled like that. Everybody knows that a cardboard box is a million things - a car, boat, house, shopping basket, washing machine etc etc And it's usually better than the toy inside!!

Ah ok, apologies to your friend! Still totally normal, the cousin I mentioned never did it. Her sister did.

DD and Igglepiggle (and Mildred) went for a lovely trip in an Amazon box today :)

Different children play differently. DD has lived in cloud cuckoo land with her host of 'friends' since about 18 months. She is 3.4 now and currently in bed with Sheeva the Ant and Blomphus the Bear who have entire stories that have grown over years.

My niece is a similar age and is not interested in imaginary play and has no imaginary friends.

DD5 has had an imaginary friend since she was about 18mths - "Ali" doesn't make so may appearances these days but was a fairly permanent fixture for a good two years.

we've always chatted about "Ali" and I pretend that I can see what she is wearing etc

I am always being told by her teachers that she is very creative and makes up great stories.

Imaginary friends are great, My dd's went away when she started school and I quite miss them.