Actually Quote by Alison Gopnik
“Imaginary friends are one of the weirder forms of pretend play in childhood. But the research shows that imaginary friends actually help children understand the other people around them and imagine all the many ways that people could be.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Scientist in the Crib, Alison Gopnik, 1999
Imaginary companions foster perspective‑taking and social cognition by letting children rehearse diverse mental states.
In simple terms: Pretend friends teach kids to see from others’ viewpoints.
Key Takeaway
Encourage imaginative play to boost empathy.
Themes
childhood
imagination
empathy
development
Mood
curious
reflective
Type
educational
psychological
When to use this quote
- parenting
- early education
- psychology research
- classroom activities
Key Concepts
Theory of mind
social cognition
pretend play
Questions to Reflect On
- How does pretend play translate to real social interactions?
- Can imagination replace direct social experience?
A Different Perspective
Children may become overly dependent on fantasy, hindering real‑world social skills.
