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and this is concerning for parents. However, Paul Harris, Professor of Education at Harvard University and author of The Work of the Imagination, argues differently.

Harris's research into the pretend play of two-year-olds shows they know very well the difference between what's real and what's not. He believes imagination plays a vital role in childhood development.

"I would argue that distinction comes in quite early so, for example, if you talk to young children who have an imaginary companion, if you talk to them about that imaginary companion they're quite aware that this companion or friend is different from a flesh-and-blood friend. I mean they realize that they can see this friend in their mind's eye but other people can't see the companion. They also realize that in some sense imagined entities whether it's the sword that you imagine or the friend that you imagine you can do more things with those entities mentally than you can do with a real sword or a real friend. I mean you can imagine the sword having magical powers, whereas you can't confer magical powers on a real sword; or you could invest your friend with all sorts of traits, whereas you're, so to speak, stuck with the traits that your genuine friend has. So they are also alert to the powers of imagination from a very early age," says Harris.

Dr Bouldin's research concluded that overall, there was no indication that children with imaginary companions experienced emotional difficulties. On the contrary, imagination, says Professor Harris, allows a child to get a different perspective on reality "if the child is willing to look at a situation from somebody else's point of view, that often calls for the child to set their own point of view to one side. But of course in adopting somebody else's point of view the child is also grasping social realities, grasping the way in which another person's mind works in a very effective fashion."

Imaginary friends can be playmates, confidantes and comforters, allowing them in a child's life can help nurture and maintain imagination and creativity; develop socio-emotional skills and provide a fun opportunity for children to explore themselves and life on many levels.

The only pantyhose now in my sisters life, are those that sit in her draw. She has reached her late thirties and is amazingly creative. She runs several successful businesses, nurtures three young children, one of whom has Downs Syndrome and battles with leukemia; she travels extensively; designs children's

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