At what age will a child begin developing magical thinking?

By Emily Pellegrino on September 27, 2012

At what age will a child begin developing magical thinking?
October is just around the corner and I’ve already started to notice many pumpkins and Halloween decorations being put up around the neighborhood.  I think that makes this weeks LMSW exam prep term, magical thinking, very appropriate. Let’s take a look at how this term may show up on the LMSW exam.

Sample Question:

Which of the following BEST defines magical thinking?

A. The process of transforming unacceptable impulses or idealizations into socially acceptable actions or behaviors

B. The understanding by a child that an object continues to exist even when it can no longer be seen

C. The process by which unacceptable impulses are expressed as their opposites.

D. A pattern of reasoning during which individuals attribute experiences and perceptions to unnatural phenomena

According to Piaget’s stages of development, magical thinking occurs during the preoperational stage which ranges from ages 2-7.  A main component of this stage is symbolic function, which is when a child learns through the use of mental images, language, and other symbols that represent objects that aren’t really present.  Therefore, kids during this stage are very egocentric and don’t understand cause and effect.  As a result it is difficult for kids to differentiate between what is fantasy and what is reality.  To help you remember this term for the LMSW exam one example is when a child believes that she fell because the sidewalk was mad at her.  A second example is a child believing that a parent became sick because they said something mean to them the other day.  It takes time for kids to develop the necessary reasoning skills to understand where fantasy ends, and reality begins.  Magical thinking can also be seen in adults with schizophrenia and those with paranoid delusions.  Examples of this is an individual saying that someone is controlling their thoughts or expressing a belief in paranormal activity. The Social Work Dictionary defines magical thinking as, “The pattern of reasoning and mental imaging in which an individual attributes experiences and perceptions to unnatural phenomena.  Magical thinking is often seen in children younger than age 5 and those with schizophrenia.  It is the idea that one’s thoughts or desires influence the environment or cause events to occur” (Barker, 2003).

Answer:

The best answer here is D. A and C are both defense mechanisms, with A defining sublimation and C defining reaction formation.  B is another aspect of early childhood development and defines object permanence.  D is the best answer because it illustrates the idea that an individual with magical thinking is attributing their experience or thoughts to causing certain events.

Next week on the LMSW exam prep blog: Negative Reinforcement

Think our straightforward, sensible approach could help you PASS your LMSW exam? If you’re preparing for the social work exam, check out our LMSW Study Materials. Learn more about our exam prep at the The Therapist Development Center home page.

Looking for more practice questions and some study tips? Check out our new Social Work Exam Study Guide:

At what age will a child begin developing magical thinking?

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At what age will a child begin developing magical thinking?

Learning to distinguish between fantasy and reality is a gradual process. During this year, your child is at an interesting juncture. He still practices what developmental psychologists refer to as "magical thinking," assigning traits to objects or people that are impossible but seem logical to your child's early reasoning abilities.

So, your child might believe that a letter dropped in the mailbox immediately flies right to Grandpa's mailbox. He might think that tigers live in trees, that birds can talk to him, and that there really is a man on the moon. Sometimes things grownups say are taken literally because they sound plausible to your child: "The mosquitoes are eating us alive." "You're killing me!"

At the same time your child is, bit by bit, figuring out that certain flights of fancy probably are not real: His toy airplane doesn't really fly. The Wiggles don't live inside the TV. This process takes years — witness 8-year-old tooth fairy and Santa Claus believers. No rush: It's wonderful to retain a little bit of magical thinking right into adulthood.

Your life now

Do mealtimes ever feel tense because your child won't touch a bite on his plate? Most experts advise against forcing a child to eat anything. Food should be a source of pleasure and nourishment, not power struggles. Research suggests that coercive feeding practices can lead to weight problems or eating disorders later in life. The child learns to associate food with control. Wait until the next regular snack or meal and offer food again then; if he's hungry he'll eat — or he may not, and that's fine, too. Most experts say it's best not to start the habit of preparing special meals for a finicky eater. But neither should you punish him for not eating. Just let it go.

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

AAP. 2015a. Cognitive development in preschool children. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/Pages/Cognitive-Development-In-Preschool-Children.aspx [Accessed July 2017]

AAP. 2015b. Developmental milestones: 3 to 4 year olds. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/Pages/Developmental-Milestones-3-to-4-Year-Olds.aspx [Accessed July 2017]

AAP. 2015c. Tips for preventing food hassles. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Tips-for-Preventing-Food-Hassles.aspx [Accessed July 2017]

CDC. 2016. Important milestones: Your child by three years. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-3yr.html [Accessed July 2017]

Nemours Foundation. 2014. Strategies for feeding a preschooler. http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/feed-preschooler.html#catbehavior [Accessed July 2017]

Magical thinking is a concept used in psychology that consists of visualizing or believing in something or someone that doesn’t exist.

Fairies, Santa Claus, witches, ghosts, and imaginary friends are just a few examples of this kind of thinking. The important thing for parents to be aware of is that this is a completely normal stage that most children go through.

What does magical thinking consist of?

Magical thinking is a stage that occurs between the 2 and 7 years of age. It’s a completely normal and even necessary phase in order to face certain fears and solve various situations.

This concept is defined within psychology as people’s belief of being able to modify their external environment through their own thoughts, and also through a supernatural kind of force.

During this stage, children believe in fantastic characters so much that they truly believe they accompany them every day. For example, their imagination can lead them to believe that mountains can move and, through that belief, they create an authentic adventure whenever they’re in a moving car.

“As children, we all live in a world of imagination, of fantasy, and for some of us that world of make-believe continues during adulthood.”

Jim Henson

At what age will a child begin developing magical thinking?

Is magical thinking positive or negative for children?

Many parents worry about the great imagination their children can develop. In many cases, some parents wonder if it’s actually positive or not to reinforce beliefs such as Santa Claus and the tooth fairy, for example.

There’s no foundation that backs up parents’ negative thoughts about this stage. On the contrary, many experts in psychology assure that this childhood phase isn’t only normal but it’s also necessary for children’s development.

Children can develop magical thinking to such an extent that, eventually, it may even be difficult for them to establish a definite limit between reality and fantasy.

This isn’t a phase that should make parents worried since it’s completely normal and quite beneficial. In fact, thanks to this magical thinking, children can better develop their sensitivity. It can also give them an impulse to face their fears and other conflicts.

Magical thinking and its characteristics

  • Magical thinking is a completely normal stage that usually develops between 2 and 7 years of age. However, it’s important to note that there’s no exact age at which this stage should end.
  • Specialists explain that, when children turn 7 years old, their magical thoughts start to become more specific.
  • Children begin to distinguish fantasy from reality, which makes them wonder even more about all of the things they don’t know. It’s at this time when children begin to develop a more logical kind of thinking, which then begins to collide with their previous, magical thinking.
  • The magical thinking stage is key for children’s proper development because it encourages them to develop their imagination, creativity, and sensitivity. It also motivates children to face their fears and solve various conflicts.

When experiences and questions begin to arise

Some experts explain that these magical thoughts are what make children experience certain things more intensely. Since they’re unable to distinguish between fantasy and reality, they have a deeper perception of both positive and negative events.

It comes to a point where children’s thoughts start to become more concrete. Sooner or later, they begin to wonder about what’s real and what isn’t. That being said, it’s very important for parents to be present at this time to answer all of the doubts their child may have.

It’s not uncommon for parents to want to tell their child what is actually real. However, we recommend waiting until your child is curious and asks you.

Magical thinking is one of the most beautiful and positive stages during childhood. It’s a completely normal phase for children’s psychological and intellectual development.

Although it might be a little frustrating for some parents, let this stage last as long as children desire. If you notice they still have this fantastic thought-process, then so be it. Just make sure to pay attention and to be there for your children to answer every question they have.

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.”

Albert Einstein