https://vid.freedif.org/videos/watch/093c8514-b056-4180-bdcf-d3d047377ca8 Explore the psychology behind why children invent imaginary companions and what skills they can develop through pretend play. -- Amia and her friend Zelba have been inseparable for nearly a year. They share secrets, play games, and rule over imaginary kingdoms. Amia sometimes has bad ideas, and Zelba goes along with them anyway. Amia is very real, but Zelba... is not. So, what leads kids to create these fictional figures? Explore why children invent imaginary companions and what skills they can develop through pretend play. Directed by Caitlin McCarthy. This video made possible in collaboration with the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation Learn more about how TED-Ed partnerships work: https://bit.ly/TEDEdPartner Support Our Non-Profit MissionSupport us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreon Check out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShopConnect With UsSign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletter Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebook Find us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitter Peep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagramKeep LearningView full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/is-it-normal-to-have-imaginary-friends Dig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/is-it-normal-to-have-imaginary-friends/digdeeper Animator's website: https://c8l.inThank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernon's, Olha Bahatiuk, Jesús Bíquez Talayero, Chels Raknrl, Sai Pranavi Jonnalagadda, Stuart Rice, Jing Chen, Vector-Dopamine math, Jasper Song, Giorgio Bugnatelli, Chardon, Eddy Trochez, OnlineBookClub.org, Eric Shear, Leith Salem, Omar Hicham, Adrian Rotaru, Brad Sullivan, Karen Ho, Niklas Frimberger, Hunter Manhart, Nathan Nguyen, Igor Stavchanskiy, James R DeVries, Grace Huo, Diana Huang, Chau Hong Diem, Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory, Blas Borde, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Adam Pagan, Wes Winn, Conder Shou, ntiger, Noname, Hansan Hu, David D, Mac Hyney, Keith Ellison, robin valero walters, Lynne Truesdale, and Gatsby Dkdc. Fri, 10 Apr 2026 23:40:31 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://vid.freedif.org https://vid.freedif.org/client/assets/images/icons/icon-1500x1500.png https://vid.freedif.org/videos/watch/093c8514-b056-4180-bdcf-d3d047377ca8 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://vid.freedif.org/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.