Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned on NeoPets

by Shidi

As a thirty something mom of three, I was a bit wary about signing my kids up for NeoPets. My husband and I had accounts for over a year before making the big plunge into letting the kids all get their first NeoPet over the summer vacation. I made sure they understood the rules about Internet safety, and carefully watched them make their first steps into the Neopian world.

As I watched my kids play with their pets, earn NP, play games and make their first battles in the Battledome, I got a real education in something I (being the adult-type-person I am) had missed along with all the fun I was having with my own pets: NeoPets is educational for kids. So take heart in the fact that while your child is spending hours of time each day interacting with her pets, she may also be learning some valuable life skills.

Parents can, and should, get involved with their childrens' NeoPets experience. Review the site with your children and sign the parental permission form. Why not get your own NeoPets and make it a family affair?

NeoPets can even be a part of summer, or home education. If your child reads an article in the Neopedia, ask him what the main idea of what he read was, and to give you a summary of what he's read. Help your young child run her shop, and learn how to price things competitively.

Most importantly, teach your children how to be safe. Even though NeoPets does a wonderful job of making sure that children know never to give their password out to anyone, some scammers can be convincing to a young or inexperienced child. Home reinforcement of Internet safety will keep it fresh in your child's mind, and help him apply the knowledge to a situation.

I have found that NeoPets helps children in the following ways (I'm sure you'll discover more as you play):

Economics
Children (and adults, too ) should realise the merits of saving and investing their money wisely. Activities such as the Stock Market can teach us how to make an investment (and choose that investment wisely) and see a profit from that investment. Stock Market crashes do occur, and can also provide a (somewhat harsh) lesson that investment is not always a sure thing.

The National Neopian Bank teaches about interest rates, and why saving money, as opposed to spending it all at once, can prove more profitable in the long run.

Owning a shop can teach marketing and management skills. Choices must be made in what to stock, how to price it and stay competitive with the market, and how to decorate and advertise the shop to attract customers. Competitive pricing is a must to learn, or you may find yourself with a shop full of lovely things that just won't sell.

Mathematics
One of the best games for mathematical skills is the Alien Invasion. This game requires the quick typing of math facts (times tables) in order to stop the advancing aliens. For a third or fourth grader who is having trouble with times tables, this game can strengthen their comprehension of math facts in a fun setting.

Another game that involves math in a less obvious manner is Bullseye. By playing this game, children can learn how angles and velocity affect the flight of a projectile -- while earning NP. Even the poorest shooter will learn, with practice, what angles are best to make which shots, and how much power is needed to hit the target.

Reading Skills
The Neopian Times provides short stories, series, articles, editorials, and comics for its Neopian readers of all ages. Younger children will enjoy an adult reading aloud a short story involving their favorite NeoPet Older children will enjoy sorting through the Times and finding stories that are of interest to them, or submitting their own work.

The Neopedia teaches us about the Neopian world, but may also be teaching your child valuable research skills for real life encyclopedias and search engines. Learning to search for information on a particular topic is something every child should learn.

The Scary Cave and Poetry areas showcase a variety of works from talented Neopians. Poetry can teach a younger child about rhyme and rhythm when read aloud together with a parent. Older children can try to write their own poem or story, and submit it to the site.

Logical Thinking
Games such as Codebreakers and Neggsweeper teach logical thinking skills. Logical thinking and making judgments based on logic are important in many school and life situations.

Writing
Children can learn how to write articles, poetry, and short stories and submit their work to the site for a chance to see them in publication. If their piece is not chosen, they learn something that every writer knows well- rejection isn't the end of the world. A child who doesn't have his or her work chosen for on-site publication should be encouraged to rethink the piece, go over the rough areas and rewrite, then try, try again.

Drawing/Artistry
What a wonderful section the "How To Draw NeoPets" is! Even small children will enjoy trying to make their favorite NeoPet following the steps listed. This also teaches another skill - following directions in an ordered list. Artwork can be submitted to the site by players.

Social
Being part of a Guild can provide children with a great opportunity to meet players of all age groups. They can learn about other countries by making Neofriends from around the world! A guild can also provide additional fun from contests and games that the guild hosts. Something the guild I lead provides (and others hopefully do, or should consider doing) is a Neomentor program, which pairs up a new or inexperienced player with a responsible Neofriend mentor to teach them how to play the site well, honestly, and safely.

Making Neofriends gives a young person the opportunity to talk with people of all ages and backgrounds, from around the world. This diversity can be a valuable tool in combating prejudice, and providing a great understanding for the world community.

Most of all, remember- NeoPets is fun that the whole family can share. Get involved with your childrens Internet life, and they might teach you a thing or two.