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Have you ever had an imaginary friend? Watch this - Video học tiếng Anh
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Have you ever had an imaginary friend? Watch this
Have you ever had an imaginary friend? Watch this
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0:06
Amia and her friend Zelba have been inseparable for nearly a year.
0:11
They share secrets, play games, and rule over imaginary kingdoms.
0:16
Amia loves to talk, and Zelba is a great listener.
0:21
Amia sometimes has bad ideas, and Zelba goes along with them anyway.
0:26
Amia is very real, and Zelba... is not.
0:31
Some parents worry about their child having playmates they can't see or hear,
0:36
but imaginary companions are a normal part of psychological development
0:41
for many kids.
0:42
In fact, they even provide a special kind of support real friends can’t.
0:47
But to understand this,
0:48
we first need to explore what leads certain kids
0:52
to create these fictional figures.
0:54
Most often, their inventors are simply looking for someone to play with.
0:59
Imaginary friends are typically created by children roughly 3 to 4 years old
1:04
who lack siblings of a similar age.
1:06
These kids tend to be socially outgoing—
1:09
they like company, so they invent more of it.
1:12
And while almost all kids enjoy playing pretend,
1:16
children with invisible companions are especially fond of make-believe.
1:21
One study even found these kids were better storytellers,
1:24
suggesting that imagining friends
1:26
might help with linguistic and cognitive development.
1:30
Outside a love of fantasy and socializing,
1:33
experts haven't found any meaningful differences in personality, intelligence,
1:37
or shyness between kids who do and do not have imaginary friends.
1:41
However, the invisible characters themselves couldn't be more different.
1:46
They can be animals, real or fictional.
1:48
Humans of all ages, shapes, and sizes,
1:51
with features straight out of a fairy tale.
1:54
Some come alone; others have a gaggle of imaginary friends and family.
1:58
They can even be what researchers call personified objects—
2:03
stuffed animals or toys brought to life by the imagination.
2:06
And these manifestations vary from place to place.
2:10
A 2004 study found roughly 67% of US kids under 8
2:15
had invisible companions,
2:17
while in Japan personified objects were much more common.
2:23
These fictional figures don't just look different,
2:26
they also fill a variety of roles.
2:29
Many are playmates and confidants,
2:32
but others are scapegoats, errand buddies, or babies in need of care.
2:36
This wide range is why researchers typically call them
2:40
invisible or imaginary “companions,” since they’re not always friends.
2:45
In fact, researchers have even reported children
2:48
who fight with their imaginary companion or are actively afraid of them.
2:52
These situations can concern parents.
2:55
But not only are they totally normal,
2:58
they highlight the special power of imaginary companions:
3:02
each of these characters is designed to fulfill their creator’s needs or wants.
3:08
By creating a scary invisible companion,
3:12
a child might be experimenting with feeling fear and how to conquer it.
3:16
Negotiating imaginary disagreements lets kids practice dealing with conflict
3:21
without real-world consequences,
3:23
and resolving these arguments can help them explore empathy and caregiving.
3:28
In these ways and more,
3:29
invisible companions give developing children the agency to explore emotions
3:35
and social interactions on their terms.
3:38
And since research consistently shows children know these characters
3:41
are imaginary,
3:43
the kids are always in control— even when it doesn’t look like it.
3:47
Some invisible companions stick around through their creator’s
3:50
teenage and adult years.
3:52
But generally, as kids start making friends in school around age 5 or 6,
3:57
they talk about their imaginary companions less and less often.
4:02
That said, the time they spent with these fictional figures
4:05
has lifelong benefits.
4:08
Research suggests pretend play strengthens a child's theory of mind.
4:13
This is our ability to understand, imagine, and predict
4:16
other people’s mental states—
4:19
a skill that can help kids develop empathy and build relationships.
4:24
And while we might stop speaking to our invisible companions,
4:27
we never stop talking to ourselves.
4:30
When you rehearse a difficult conversation in the shower
4:33
or talk through your problems to a pet,
4:35
you’re using the same skills you learned from your imaginary companions—
4:39
talking through your inner monologue to problem solve and regulate your mood.
4:44
So, the next time you see a kid chattering to thin air,
4:47
know that you're watching the beginning of a lifelong conversation.
