Learning From Webkinz
Hey mom…I need to feed Charlie.,” says your little three year old. “Where do we keep the dog food?” You look at him and then realize something…. This little bundle of energy and constant joy is showing something you really did not realize was in him…yet. He is showing responsibility Of course you also know because of where you live that there is no pitter-patter of paws in your home. So what is your “man” referring to? He is probably bringing into play his reference to something like Webkinz and other interactive toys. Little Johnny is taking what he is learning from Webkinz animals and putting into a daily source of fun…and learning.
The great thing about Webkinz is their innocence mixed with hours of potential joy and fun. They look like any other cute, cuddly plush toy animal. Their bright, expressive eyes seem to say to you…”Im ready to be loved and played with.” This of course is quite accurate. These lovable stuffed animals are made for collecting and enjoying. However, these creatures have another dimension to them. They allow for learning and growing with your child. By way of a special code that is placed with each Webkins, these toys take on lives through online development.
Toys with online “play” (such as Webkinz) allow for aspects of real life to be put into the imaginations of children. This is not mind stealing or influencing, its cultivating children’s imagination. By allowing the toy to have a “home” built for it, outfits and clothing to be selected, creating games surrounding their lives and even trivia to be introduced, children are growing with their toys. Obviously, like with anything, parents should be tuned to what is going on and monitor (or even participate in) the activity.
Webkins popularity seems to stretch into the teen years for many owners. They enjoy the long-lasting fun and vast directions that can be taken through Webkins. Board games and group games will always be a rich part of a child/s growth, but Webkinz allows for something even more important…a sense that each child is participating in growth and responsibility.
