When you think of kids starting a collection, it may seem like just a silly obsession. However, there are some great skills to be learned when your child actively collects a specific item, whether it’s baseball cards, figurines, or fun magnets from different cities. Read on to find out what your child can learn by starting a collection.
Foster research skills
As your child begins adding to their collection, they will want to know about each new addition. This is the perfect opportunity for them to learn how to research. For example, if they collect rocks, they can research about each new rock they get in order to find out what type of rock it is by analyzing its properties. They will love becoming an expert in something that their parents may not know so much about.
Learn the importance of money by starting a collection
Starting a collection is also a great opportunity for kids to get a better sense of how money works. If kids are encouraged to pay for new additions to their collection themselves, the items will be even more valuable to them and they will get more practice in money management. It is also great to teach them smart spending by helping them learn to figure out what a good purchase is. Taking them to garage sales or flea markets will help them learn what a bargain is and how to look for one.
Obtain exceptional organizational skills
This is an important aspect of maintaining a collection, as kids will actually gain a lot of valuable real-life skills through this. When collecting, kids spend a lot of time arranging, organizing, and maybe even cataloging their prized possessions. These skills are important for many different professions and even just around the house, so it is very helpful for kids to learn them at a young age. That way it won’t be so hard later in life when it becomes more of a necessity than a hobby.
Starting a collection will help your child become a better storyteller
Along the collection journey, every item your child obtains will come with a memory. It is important for kids to know the history of their collection and how to tell people about it. For example, they may have a rock that they got on a family trip to Yellowstone National Park. They will learn how to tell the story of how they got it, and will get practice storytelling whenever someone asks them about it. In order to do this, they also need to know all the facts of their collection. Then, they need to learn to tell them in an orderly and concise way. It’s great for kids to learn this while they’re young, as it will build confidence and give them good presentation skills.
Starting a collection gives kids an opportunity to gain some very important skills that will help them later in life. The subject of their collection can be absolutely anything they are interested in, as long as it is not too expensive or unsafe. So if your child shows interest in expanding their collection of a few quarters they have with interesting designs, encourage them to start looking for more!
