More on Imaginary Friends

We did some research on imaginary friends, and then asked Graham so more about "his friend Brode."  We found some very interesting things.
 
Research in Italics.
Information about Graham / Graham's Friend Brode in Bold.

Imaginary Friends are often role models with special skills
Brode #2 is really good at jumping backwards, and doing circles on his tummy (Graham's response to the question, "What is your friend Brode good at?")  He is invisible to everyone but Graham, and usually whispers to Graham, but sometimes talks loud when no-one else is around.

Children with imaginary friends will often have a greater ability connect with others, especially those who have a tough time coping.  This makes sense, because for a child to have an imaginary friend, they have to imagine the perceptions of someone else, even if that someone else is imaginary. 
Graham shows an uncanny ability to connect with other kids, even kids who might be considered "difficult."

The perfect environment for creating an imaginary friend is a social child who has lots of unstructured, free time. One study says they need unstructed time alone in order to have the opportunity to create imaginary friends.
Graham is extremely social - first one to make friends on the playground, always gets along with others.  For the past three years he has also had lots of time to himself - Brode had 2 years of preschool/pre-k while Graham was at home, and now Brode has all-day kindergarten while Graham has a half-day at home from pre-k.  He has always played very well by himself, and now it is clear that said time alone enabled him to create Brode #2.

Imaginary friends are often tutelaries. (Protectors or Mentors)
Graham's Friend is Brode, the same name as his brother who helps him after school, at church, and at home.   Brother Brode is so good to Graham and acts like such a protector, so it comes as very sweet yet not a surprise that Graham's tutelary would carry the same name as his real-life hero and protector.