Imaginary friends: the role of parents

Children who have fantasy friends are more socially aware. They can put themselves in other people's shoes better than peers who don't have imaginary friends.

Children with imaginary friends tend to talk more about personalities than visual clues when describing real frien...

• Ask loved ones what’s the most important thing they’ve ever learned.
• Ask people what they’re grateful for.
• Ask your parents what you were like as a child.
• Join an organization of people making a positive difference in the world.
• Read an autobiography by someon...

Scientists take play seriously. For decades, psychologists, evolutionary biologists, and animal behaviorists, among others, have labored to understand the playful mind.

Schools and parents alike should give children the time and opportunity to find their personal play styles. Play should be...