Your Child Loves Huggy Wuggy? A Preschool Educator Cautions About Its Long-Term Effects For Very Young Children

In a recent article, we asked parents in the Facebook group, Smart Parenting Village, whether their children are fond of Huggy Wuggy, and if they allow their kids to play with toys based on the character in the horror computer game, Poppy Playtime.

Most of their kids age 4 and 5 said that, despite his appearance, Huggy Wuggy was "cute, kind, and not bad."

However, we consulted an early childhood educator and member of the Smart Parenting Board of Experts, Teacher Thumby Server-Veloso, about her perspective on Huggy Wuggy.

Early childhood educator's POV on Huggy Wuggy

Teacher Thumby said she understands why young children could be attracted to Huggy Wuggy for a variety of reasons, such as the color, texture, features, or the way people react to it. "Personally, I see many other cuter and softer plush toys. Ones that are even hypoallergenic and have colors, textures, and expressions that can have a calming effect on the hugger."

She added, "I won't be surprised to find some children liking it so much because the sight of it elicits strong emotions from their parents or grandparents, and maybe even siblings or playmates."

"It may give them the false impression that this character is something that they can interact with on different platforms." —Thumby Server-Veloso

However, she expressed her concern about very young children potentially confusing the menacing appearance with actual smiles and affection. "But since there does not seem to be any evidence to point to whether this will have a long term effect on one’s capacity at reading facial cues, maybe it doesn’t even matter."

"My real hesitation," she added, "about giving this toy to young children is that it may give them the false impression that this character is something that they can interact with on different platforms."

READ ALSO: Whether You Like It Or Not, Your Child Is A Digital Citizen. Here's How To Raise Them To Be Responsible

This is where parents' guidance on the games and content their children are exposed to becomes crucial. "If they see a youtube video of Huggy Wuggy, they will not hesitate to watch it. Given the history of this toy, and knowing that it is part of a game that has some violent themes inappropriate for very young children, then it would be more prudent to offer more child-friendly, age appropriate options," Teacher Thumby said.

READ ALSO: 10+ Games To Help Your Preschooler Develop Impulse Control

What if your child already loves Huggy Wuggy?

Nevertheless, she advised parents who are considering buying their kids Huggy Wuggy toys because it is popular. "If you're at the toy store and your child is drawn to Huggy Wuggy and cannot be persuaded to choose something else, then don't let your biases stop you from getting something that will bring joy."

 

 

"If Huggy Wuggy is already at home and your child is attached to it, there is not much you can do except to keep your child away from video content related to Huggy Wuggy and wait until they lose interest and move on to playing with other toys," she maintained. 

Does giving scary-looking toys help children overcome fear of monsters?

We also asked Teacher Thumby if giving these kinds of toys would help children as young as age 3 overcome their fear of monsters, as other parents think.

"I would rather look into the root of the fear. Where this fear comes from, how it can be explained, and techniques the child can use when they are feeling frightened," she maintained.

"For very young children, I would not necessarily support immersing them in the thing they fear most just for the sake of it. While some specialists use Exposure Therapy to help people overcome certain fears or anxieties, just giving very young children a toy that resembles something they are afraid of, might not be the best solution."

READ ALSO: 4 Things To Do To Help Your Toddler Overcome Her Fears Of Thunder And Monsters In The Dark

What can parents do instead 

She says, if your child is afraid of monsters, you should probably find out what they think monsters look like, what they fear the monsters might do to them, and where they got these ideas from. "Discussions and reassurances from parents might be more effective than giving them a scary-looking toy and expecting it to help your child overcome his fears," she added.

"Their idea of a monster might not even resemble Huggy Wuggy, and if that’s the case, then the purpose of getting this stuffed toy as a way to beat being afraid of monsters is pointless," Teacher Thumby said.

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