Whats the Purpose of a Guest of Honor Badge?

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

I was just curious, but what is the purpose of a guest of honor badge? I see them mentioned in posts all the time and have looked at them online, but do you simply collect them or do people wear them around the parks? And if you wear them around the parks is there a particular reason for it? They looked neat so I was thinking of getting my little cousin (she's 8) some for her next Disney trip. Only I don't know if I should tell her to wear them around while she is in Disney or if I should tell her to just save it so she doesn't lose it. (She's the kind of child who will ask me these questions, very inquisitive and always wants answers for the purpose of things. lol)
Thanks so much!

 

[bairdbeth]

Have her wear it! My DD was called by name by CM's and by the face characters. She was thrilled they knew her name! It made our trip more magical. The other characters signed her autograph book and wrote To Taylor, Love Mickey. She got lots of extra attention, which helped bring her out of her shell!

 

[Meezers]

We got ours to say #1 Mother and #1 Daughter....cause everyone asks if we are sisters! Instead....wearing that and a lanyard.....we got asked questions like we were CM's.....so I got into the non-offensive 2 finger disney point and answered every question....should have asked for a job

PS....I am 43 and Mom is 64!

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Hey thanks so much for the quick responses! That makes a lot more sense now! Thanks for the tip about how they help bring kids out of their shells too because my cousin is a bit shy. She loves to see characters but unless they go out of their way to talk to her she sort of stands there very shyly. Now to just decide which ones to get her. I'm thinking one for each day shes there since she's very into matching her clothing to EVERYTHING. Thats neat about the mother/daughter ones as well! lol Thanks again to you both!