What Kids Learn from Collecting

What kids learn by collecting may seem surprising to parents who have had to deal with the ongoing battle to keep a child's room and possessions clean, neat and even safe. Walk through almost any child's room and you will find among the strewn toys some select items that seem to have found favor with the owner. They may be hidden away under a bed , in a special box or case or they may be more highly visible and part of what is being actively used in play . No matter how they store their treasures most kids will at some point begin to collect things. In some kids this desire to collect and store items may even take on the trappings of a hobby. Whether collecting is just a passing fancy or serious stuff for your child it is an activity that parents may want to support because of the what kids learn by collecting.

For instance , collecting automatically requires children to use their minds to categorize the objects they see in the world around them. The most basic categorization breaks all things down to those kids like and those they don't. Saving some things and passing on others is a child's chance to exercise his or her ability to categorize.

The child will further learn that inside the wider category of things that they like there are many smaller categories. Children who like stamps, baseball cards, stickers, and teddy bears will at some point begin to notice that for example they like baseball cards best. They will begin to ask for cards for their birthday , they will use extra money to purchase cards, they will assign their baseball cards the best, safest place in their bedroom for safe keeping. What kids very quickly learn from collecting is how to assign value to their possessions.

As they begin to accumulate a certain type of collectible, kids will also begin to learn the different ways to display what they have saved. Collections aren't just the hoarding of someone else's creativity. Collections offer their owners the chance to arrange things in the unique order that pleases them. Indeed children learn that part of the fun of collecting lies in discovering the many attractive and fun ways to share their collectibles with their family and friends.

Those who really get into the habit or hobby of collecting often coincidentally develop their observational skills. Looking for seashells at the beach may seem a mundane task to parents. But besides getting a pailful of shells kids are also exercising their ability to discern differences in what they see in the world around them. This kind of observational skill is bolstered by the opportunities that collecting offers to really look beyond the surface and find what holds value for you.

For some parents one of the most surprising things that kids learn by collecting is how to work alone as well as share universally The young collector will begin to value alone time with his or her treasure. The television and other electronic devices will be happily laid aside so that full concentration can be given to the collection at hand. A rain day, part of a long weekend or just a half hour after dinner don't need to be filled with electronic stimulation for the child with a collection. Arranging and re-arranging can really entertain even young children. And when they are satisfied with their work for the day they will often welcome the chance to share that collection with you and anyone else who shows an interest.

Everyone wants their kids to learn the value of a neat and tidy room, but once you have seen what kids can learn from collecting, you may be willing to give them a little more wiggle room as they find their way to a wonderful pastime.