In line with theories that children's pretend play reflects and extends their narrative skills, children with imaginary companions were predicted to have better narrative skills than children without imaginary companions. Forty-eight 5(1/2)-year-old children and their mothers participated in interviews about children's imaginary companions. Children also completed language and narrative assessments. Twenty-three of the children (48%) were deemed to have engaged in imaginary companion play. Children with and without imaginary companions were similar in their vocabulary skills, but children with imaginary companions told richer narratives about a storybook and a personal experience compared to children without imaginary companions. This finding supports theories of a connection between pretend play and storytelling by the end of early childhood.

+More

narrative storytelling pretend play

Gabriel, Trionfi Elaine, Reese,.A good story: children with imaginary companions create richer narratives.. 80 (4),1301-13.

Gabriel, Trionfi Elaine, Reese,"A good story: children with imaginary companions create richer narratives." 80

Gabriel, Trionfi Elaine, Reese,"A good story: children with imaginary companions create richer narratives."