Daydreaming is one of those things that can be wonderful—a nice little imaginative escape in the midst of a stressful day, it can even be therapeutic when you need a boost of positive thought. But, daydreaming can create some problems—especially for a child who daydreams excessively and uses it as a way of escaping and avoiding daily life.
I think that some people just seem to be more “natural” daydreamers than others. Those who can be incredibly imaginative and creative tend to be better at daydreaming. I have been told, however, that excessive daydreaming in a child can be a sign that something is wrong, and for a child to begin daydreaming MORE can mean that he or she has issues or problems that need to be addressed.
A child who has a tendency to daydream may need to learn when it is appropriate and when it is not. If chores, homework, and relationships are suffering than it is probably something that needs to be addressed and dealt with. Does the child daydream at home but not at school? Or do you get complaints from teachers that the child is often daydreaming in class when work should be getting done? Is this something that you have been noticing or hearing about for years or something that is newly-developed in the child?
If you are concerned that the daydreaming is excessive or is interfering with a “normal” life, you might consider seeing a counselor or therapist. It may just be the child’s temperament, or a phase, but if there is something going on that is distracting the child from being present in everyday life, a counselor can help the both of you to work through and figure out what it is. You will also want to make sure that what appears to be daydreaming is not something physical—like poor eye sight or hearing loss.
Also: “My Child Keeps Staring Into Space” Is it ADHD or a Seizure Disorder?
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