So you have a pre-schooler and you think they might like a cute NeoPet, what
then?
Well that depends a lot on your child's skills with a keyboard or mouse and
how much time you have. NeoPets games are not designed to help teach basic computer
skills and often presume that the player can read. But all is not lost. Your
child can still enjoy NeoPets and as their skills develop using other teaching
programmes they can apply these to NeoPets. As I have found with my three year
old there are even a few options for independent play on the site, if you are
willing to navigate to the game in question.
But games are for later. You need to start somewhere and here is my introductory
formula:
Get Familiar With the Site Yourself First
Children with low boredom thresholds are not going to stay interested while
you fluster around finding out what to do and where to go. Once you are competent
in the Pet Basics such as feeding, playing with toys, reading to, painting and
giving a PetPet, make some Neopoints. You'll need them.
Give Them Their Own Pet
NeoPets is enjoyable for little children because it gives them an opportunity
to play with a pet they are fond of. With a young child the pet should come
first. It is a pity some of us older people tend to forget that.
I strongly recommend giving your child its own NeoPet. They will enjoy the
process of choosing a species. Take time over it. They will probably be confused
by the choice, so maybe limit it to one or two screens on the Create-a-Pet page.
Let the child choose. Even so it may be useful to subtly direct them away from
a species you don't like. After all, you will be doing most of the maintenance
for this pet, so it helps if you can like it too.
Make a game of the naming process. Focus on "trying out" a name so they won't
be disappointed if it is refused. And your child will want a real word name
not a number string. Despite the millions of NeoPets it is still possible to
create new names. Two part names are often easier to achieve. If you are the
diligent type, research some names beforehand by searching Neopets so that you
have a couple of suggestions to offer.
Don't paint their new pet immediately. Wait until you need to introduce a new
element to the game some weeks or months down the track.
And start with one pet only! Keep it manageable. You can always add more later.
You may also want to consider giving your child its own account. There are
pros and cons to this. You will be looking after it and it is fairly easy to
fall foul of the NeoPets multiple account rules. However my daughter now talks
proudly of her account and her game scores. She has several pets and the first
choice of her day - which one to play with - is always her most important NeoPets
decision.
Be Prepared
NeoPets is full of enjoyable microseconds. Young children often prefer macroseconds
and repetition. This means work for you. It is your job to provide a running
commentary and extend the moment.
So, you have fed the pet, discussed the moment, maybe clapped or cooed and
your child is looking bemused at a small white screen full of squiggles (words)
and a little pet picture. They are thrilled, you hope. If not, clap and coo
yourself "Look how happy your pet is!" Your child will probably take the hint.
But… what do you do next? Feed the pet again. And again.
This means that you need multiple toys, books and food for your child's pet,
preferably each time your child plays. Think ahead and prepare beforehand. If
you have to take your child shopping on the site forget about the main shops
and bargain hunting. Have lots of Neopoints on hand, frequent well-stocked user
shops and let the child choose within reason. Your child will probably love
those garish shop backgrounds and music files you hate.
Another reason to have multiple items on hand is that your child is likely
to be disappointed if their pet refuses to eat a food, play with a toy, or read
a book. Life is full of disappointments anyway. NeoPets doesn't have to be.
Also, if planning to give your child's pet a PetPet, either have second PetPet
on hand in case of refusal or do a test run to confirm acceptability.
Visit the NeoPet
In the early stages of your child's Neopian life, keep the emphasis on visiting
their pet. Make the visits short and relatively frequent. I suggest once every
few days to allow you prep time. You may soon find you have to ration visits
to once a day and have an insistent child on your hands who thinks your computer
was created solely for the purpose of giving them access to their NeoPet. It
could be worse.
What next?
Once your child is familiar with and fond of their pet you can start thinking
about games. Coming soon - my choice of the best four NeoPets games for littlies. | 
