Both of my boy are really into Pokémon. Sometimes it takes me a while to come around kid products that are clearly designed to keep you buying more, but the other day, while they were playing with the neighbor’s son I asked myself the following: what logical reasons, other than the fact that the cards are constantly littering the entire floor of our apartment, do I have for disliking the phenomenon?
None, I realized.
In fact, despite the fact that I have no idea why Pokémon holds such appeal for my kids, there are many reasons to embrace Pokémon.
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1. Math practice. I can’t pretend to understand the way Pokémon “damage” points work. All I know is that I overhear a lot of calculations while they examine their decks and play games. Or are they called “battles”? Who knows.
More: Like simple? These super easy math ideas are perfect for preschoolers.
2. Negotiation. When I was a kid, I traded stickers. I spent a lot of time contemplating the value of my favorite stickers. Would I trade 2 rainbows for 1 unicorn? Decisions, decisions. Whatever they are trading, there are some serious negotiation skills put to the test.
3. Organization. How does one store a gazillion Pokémon cards, anyway? If you stuff them all in a box you have a hard time finding the one card you want at any given moment. Do you arrange them by color? By strength? By energy type? (I’m sort of guessing at these categories. You’ve probably figured out by now that I have no idea how Pokémon actually works.)
4. Economics. I’m certainly not going to continue to fund the Pokémon habit, so they need to learn a bit about how to keep up their supply. Exactly how important is it to get another set of cards? Can you hold out until you earn $12 for the 60 pack, or do you purchase the less expensive, but less-economic 10 pack? How many extra chores do you have to do to earn that money, anyway?
5. Literacy. One of the ways you can organize cards is alphabetically. My 5 year old is an emerging reader and he recognizes that in order to compete with the big boys, he has to be able to decode the language on the Pokémon cards.
More: These easy ways to teach phonics will boost their literacy skills.
6. Peer Relationships. Not that the boys don’t still squabble, but my 9 year old and my 5 year old can actually get along when they are involved in Pokémon negotiations and strategy. My older son teaches his brother about the characters and game play. On play dates where both ages are represented, the boys can all find common ground with Pokémon.
More: Check out this cooperative board game my boys don’t fight over, either!
7. Sportsmanship. No one wants to play with a sore loser. That lesson hits home pretty quickly.
8. Quiet time. Ahhh, my favorite reason to love Pokémon. The boys spend hours either looking at the cards by themselves, or playing together. Neither activity, thankfully, involves me.
More: A quiet time jar is also good!
Are your kids into Pokémon? How do you feel about it?
Ann says
All of a sudden my kids are into them too and I could kick myself for throwing out my stepson’s vast collection of card. Never in a million years would I have thought they’d come back. I agree with you though beside the expense, I like them too. My kids are doing many of the things you described. They even started making up their own version called Treacy-mon.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I love that they are making up their own version. Very creative.
Amy @ A Little Nosh says
My son has some Pokemons and we mostly just play War with them, based on damage points, or something. I don’t really get it, and honestly, neither does he. But he loves them anyway (probably because the older kids he hangs with after school play them).
Erica MomandKiddo says
For my youngest, it’s definitely about the bigger kids!
MaryAnne says
These are great reasons! Pokemon has not yet made our way into our house…
Erica MomandKiddo says
Maybe it never will! That might be good, actually…
Pragmatic Mom says
I do love Pokemon too! My son plays the video games non-stop and watches the TV shows in addition to collecting the cards. They don’t really trade but my son and his friends act out Pokemon by pretending to battle. I love it! They are creative but have to drawn on their knowledge which is like a vast database of their Pokemon’s powers and strengths.
Needless to say, I had to read for entire year, Pokemon directory books in order for my son to collect this knowledge. Not the most exciting plot but still fun. He’s impressed I can identify at least 100 Pokemon!
Erica MomandKiddo says
It’s sort of amazing how much knowledge about this game they can collect.
Tomesia says
What a great post! My kids ages 13 (boy), 10 (boy) and 8 (girl) love the game!! It is so great to have them bring their decks and play each other, especially if they know they have time to kill like when mom and dad are at band practice. Our family LOVES card and tabletop games.