What does this research mean for the field?

Childhood imaginary companions can be theoretically reframed as a process of sympoiesis, conceptualizing a child's growth and social interaction as coming into being in, with, and through these companions. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.METHODOLOGICAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.ESTABLISHES_NEW_DIRECTION.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To re-examine childhood imaginary companions through the framework of sympoiesis, exploring their implications for relational care and societal sustainability.

September 4, 2026Contemporary Issues in Early ChildhoodOpen Access

Recalling and caring childhood imaginary friends as sympoiesis

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Authors

SSSara Sintonen VKVirve Keränen

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Overview

Theoretical analysis reveals the role of imaginary friends as sympoietic companions in early development, highlighting connections to lifelong care and societal sustainability.

Key Points

To re-examine childhood imaginary companions through the framework of sympoiesis, exploring their implications for relational care and societal sustainability.
Applied a theoretical and autoethnographic framework to examine the developmental and social phenomena of imaginary companions.
Synthesized psychological and developmental literature focused on children typically between 2 and 7 years of age.
Reframed childhood imaginary companions as instances of sympoiesis, emphasizing relational co-creation and collaborative world-making during early growth.
Identified that recalling and caring for imaginary companions can foster empathy and relational awareness linked to broader practices of societal sustainability.

Cite This Study

Sintonen et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9a861f5d9e33f25c631a92 https://doi.org/10.1177/14639491261484064

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September 4, 2026Contemporary Issues in Early ChildhoodOpen Access

Recalling and caring childhood imaginary friends as sympoiesis

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SSSara Sintonen VKVirve Keränen

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Theoretical analysis reveals the role of imaginary friends as sympoietic companions in early development, highlighting connections to lifelong care and societal sustainability.

Key Points

To re-examine childhood imaginary companions through the framework of sympoiesis, exploring their implications for relational care and societal sustainability.
Applied a theoretical and autoethnographic framework to examine the developmental and social phenomena of imaginary companions.
Synthesized psychological and developmental literature focused on children typically between 2 and 7 years of age.
Reframed childhood imaginary companions as instances of sympoiesis, emphasizing relational co-creation and collaborative world-making during early growth.
Identified that recalling and caring for imaginary companions can foster empathy and relational awareness linked to broader practices of societal sustainability.

Cite This Study

Sintonen et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9a861f5d9e33f25c631a92 https://doi.org/10.1177/14639491261484064

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