A handful of sea glass discovered at the beach, or that first pack of trading
cards. Regardless of what sparks a child's urge to collect, pretty soon they can't
get enough. Kids are naturally curious about the
vast world around them, and focusing on one tiny
part of it gives them something they can master.
Collecting also teaches valuable skills, as kids
practice classifying, sorting and organizing.
Some collectibles, such as dinosaurs or
rocks, promote scientific learning.
Postage stamps help kids discover
geography, while comic books foster a
love of reading. Toys like model horses or
action figures encourage hours of
imaginative play. And bringing home
postcards, shells, or souvenir pens from family
trips builds happy memories to look back on.

Provide plenty of space for your child's growing collection. Breakables such as porcelain dolls or snow globes might go on a high shelf, whereas toys that are played with frequently should be within easy reach on a bookshelf or in baskets.

Some types of collections lend themselves

to more rigorous organization. Postcards

can go in a scrapbook along with notes

about their place of origin. Rocks could

be stored in a tackle box, each in its

own compartment with a label.

Be supportive by showing an interest in your
children's collections and helping them learn
more about their chosen interest.

Kids love showing and explaining everything in
their collections, so be sure to set aside time to
listen to the names of every dinosaur and which
ones were vegetarians. Take little field trips
together too. If your child's passion is penguins,
visit the aquarium, if she loves horses, visit a
local stable, or perhaps you have a fan of all
things superhero who would be thrilled to go to
comic book convention.