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I can be scraping pennies from the bottom of my purse for coffee, but if I pull out a state quarter, I’ll tuck it away in a safe place and resume my search. Spending a state quarter particularly if it is one that is shiny and new is practically a heresy in my household. Why? We collect them, of course all three of my kids very carefully, meticulously acquire their quarters, gently place them in their holders and resume their hunt for the next state. I’m not quite sure how we got so hooked. I think it might have begun with my oldest son’s fascination with geography and our ongoing (and still going) dialogue about America’s 50 states and their varying cultures, traditions and landmarks. It seemed a natural progression, really. If you’re looking for a fun and educational way to engage your children, why not start a collection for them? Whether it is rocks, trains or plush dolls, children are naturals when it comes to gathering up cool stuff. Read on for some ideas on how to get your crew started on collecting: •Stamp Collecting is one of the best ways to teach children about geography, history and the changing world. Up until about a generation ago, this was a particularly popular hobby. Like many others, it suffers today from the lack of neighborhood kids all collecting, sharing, trading and being involved. Hobbies, in the computer era, require more family interaction to keep a child’s ongoing interest. But keep in mind the next suggestion… •If you want to have a successful collecting experience, the best way to start is to let kids choose what they collect. If it’s not the child’s interest that drives the hobby, then the only person having all the fun is you. If sports are big in your home, then collect baseball cards or, if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can collect programs from every stadium you visit. •If you’re worried about cost don’t be. Certainly there are many collections that could considerably dent your wallet. But, not everything carries a price tag like a porcelain doll or an autographed football might. Kids appreciate even the simplest things. Tour Southern California’s beaches and bring home rocks and shells for your own rock garden. Or be on the lookout for old pennies. •Invite the entire family to join in your search. Grandparents love the chance to make contributions to a collection and are often vigilant hunters for just that perfect addition. •Whatever you collect, use the opportunity to educate your child about the item and all the facts and history that surrounds it. It will foster a true passion for discovery and love of learning. •Look for fun ways to display your collection. New shelves in the kids’ bedrooms or a well-maintained scrapbook are great ways to preserve these hard-won treasures. And don’t forget about show-and-tell opportunities at school. •Remember, there are many public facilities that house very special, very prized collections from all around the world. Tour local museums, zoos, antique stores and county fairs for an exciting look at all the many riches that people have devoted their lives to housing and cherishing. •Finally, have fun! You can relax knowing that your children are learning some vital lessons in the art of patience, the value of perseverance and the importance of respect for culture, for life and for this planet. Kerri S. Mabee of Temecula is a freelance writer. Resources “Coin Collecting for Kids,” by Steve Otfinoski, Jack Graham (illustrator). Innovative Kids, August 2000. “ Collect This: A Cool Guide to Collecting for Kids,” by Donna Guthrie, et al. Price, Stern and Sloan, May 2001. “Stamp It: The Ultimate Stamp Collecting Activity Book,” by Leslie Jonath. Chronicle Books, October 2001. “The Kids Guide to Collecting Statehood Quarters and Other Cool Coins,” by Kevin Flynn, et al. Whitman Coin Products, November 2000. “Things: Collecting for Kids and Their Families Over 20 Collectibles Covered,” by Arthur Bochner. Wealthbuilder Publishing, October 2000. |
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