Collecting Stamps as an Educational Tool

Collecting stamps can be a fun and valuable way to get into the collecting world for children. It isn't just about sticking stamps into a book, if used properly, the collection can be used to educate and build an interest in the world around us.

One of the easiest collections to start, collecting stamps has been a hobby for generations. In fact, some families have even passed their stamp albums down through the generations and these often contain hidden gems and relics that no longer exist elsewhere.

To begin collecting stamps, you need virtually no special equipment. Although stamp albums are specially designed to protect the stamps from the harms of acid and dust, you can start off with a simple photo album. The idea is to maintain the stamps in the best conditions possible, so never use glue or tape to stick them into an album.

While avid collectors will never touch a stamp with their bare hand, using cotton gloves and tweezers, this is probably unnecessary for children who are just getting into collecting. They should learn how to steam a postage stamp off of an envelope, though, to preserve it for the album. This can be done with a steam iron.

To turn stamp collecting into an educational experience, you can suggest that the children look up and learn about the countries they have found stamps from. As a school project, this is ideal. Put pins into a large wall map to show where stamps have come from. You could also hold a contest to see how many countries each student can present a stamp for.

The best way to do this is to have the children write people or businesses from the countries of their choice, asking for a postcard or a short letter. They should explain what their project is in addition to making the request. These will arrive with a stamp or two on them that can then be added to the class stamp album.

Collecting stamps isn't the only way to learn, students can also write the embassy for the countries they receive stamps from and request information brochures and other items such as flags. Most embassies and tourist agencies are more than thrilled to send little pins and tourist information.

The internet can provide plenty more information about stamps and their countries of origin. This offers two opportunities to learn, one about the process of stamp making, and two, geography and culture. Have the students prepare an end-of-year presentation for their family and friends, using the stamps, maps and other items they have received through their collecting efforts. Each student could do an oral presentation or a report on one of the countries, showing the stamps brought from that country along with the flag and national symbols.

Collecting stamps isn't just a hobby anymore; it is also a full learning experience . . . in the right hands. Teachers can use stamp collections to turn geography and social studies into a more interesting experience.