16 month old using his imagination?

This being my first child, I am not certain when imaginative play typically begins.  My son is 16 months old.  In the last few weeks he has started pretending to eat.  What I mean is, if I hold my hand out he will pretend to pick up something out of it (my hand is empty) and put it in his mouth.  He then mimics chewing and even sometimes says "nummy".  He finds this very entertaining..lol.  I thought it was super cute and didn't think much of it except that he was beginning to pretend.  Then someone else made a comment that this wasn't typical of his age and maybe he was seeing things that aren't really there?  I don't really believe that as he is a super outgoing, happy and playful child.  But of course someone makes that comment and you begin to wonder.  Is this typical or should I be talking to his pediatrician?  Thanks for any input.

[RockRose]

I think this is normal imaginative play.  Around this age kids begin to pretend to talk on the telephone when there is no one to talk to,  and enjoy a game of parents pretending to eat the food the child is eating,  in a game.  

He sounds really cute.  It doesn't sound to me like he's hallucinating.  

[adgal]

Thanks so much. I don't either.  There didn't seem anything odd about it at all, but then someone has to comment and it starts to put "what if" thoughts in your head.  I found some info about children his age hallucinating and it is nothing like any of the sites described at all. He will also pretend to pick something out of his hand and put it in your mouth.  This is something he often tries to do while actually eating..feed you.  So I think he is just mimicking what he does while eating for real.  I appreciate your input as always.

[Ladybugbc]

Seriously... what's wrong with people?
This is just a bright kid with super awesome imagination and he's doing what any other kid does at a little later time of their childhood.

And this nutjob says he's seeing things?? .. makes me mad..

I think this is super normal behaviour and Ryder has a very creative imagination.  It's very innocent and nothing to worry about at all. xoxo

[specialmom]

I agree.  That is great that he is starting to use his imagination.  Pretend play is something developmental specialist always look for.  If it is absent, that is a problem.  

You'll have tons of fun as he finds many more ways to use his mind!!  Enjoy!

[adgal]

Thanks so much. I need to learn to listen to my own instincts.  I really was not concerned at all until she said that.  This is the same person that told me that letting him give kisses on the mouth is teaching innappropriate sexual behaviour, so I think she has some issues.  He has changed daycares and is back to spending 3 days a week there.  They tell me all the time how they think it's great he is so affectionate and always so happy (he is much happier here then the old place) and how interested he is in everything around him.  No one but this one friend has ever brought up any concerning issues in his behaviour at all.  When he does the pretend eating he is engaged with me (or his dad) - making eye contact, giggling, smiling.  I found some more info on line and it said that often when children begin using their imagination they will do things they do in real life so to speak.  At least 1/2 the time he still eats with his hands, so that is what he is doing in imaginative play.  He is just maybe doing it a bit earlier, but that shouldn't be cause for alarm.  I need to stop listening to this women.  She always gets me upset about things there are no need to be upset about.  Thanks again to all of you, I feel much better.  You have all confirmed what I already believed in my heart.

[AHP84]

Since our boys are a week apart in age, I just wanted to reassure you...this is NORMAL! Lol.
Hallucinating? Seriously?
Wow, then my kid is just as strung out as yours, apparently! Haha, he talks to people on the phone who aren't there, pretends he's an airplane with his arms stretched out while running in circles saying "ooooh!" and does some kind of funky Sumo stance and laughs and babbles at who-knows-what when he does it. When he eats, he'll put stuff in his mouth with a lot more exaggeration than needed, as if he's chomping into it with a vengence, and then say "nom nom nom nom" with a big smile on his face and nodding his head while he chews it--I think he thinks he's a dinosaur, lol. He sees his big brother play with those enough.