How a Child's Desire to Collect Develops Valuable Life Skills
Numismatists, archtophiles and deltiologists all have one thing in common—they all love to collect things, be they coins, teddy bears or postcards.
Collecting is particularly popular among children, whether it’s natural objects like conkers, shells and pebbles, or toys that are intended to be collectibles such as marbles, novelty erasers or the latest playground craze of fidget spinners or Tsum Tsums.
In a survey carried out by Babycentre.com, 79% of parents admitted that their children collected things. 39% of these children gathered objects from nature, 27% were more interested in collecting toys and a further 13% collected other items.
Although parents fear for their bank balance when faced with the news that yet another collectable craze is sweeping the playground, the act of collecting actually benefits children in the following ways.
Social
Collecting is a great way for children to connect and initiate conversation over a common interest. That could be trading football stickers or comparing who has the latest, glitziest unicorn squishie. Such is the power of these collectibles that a child can be elevated to playground celebrity status simply by possessing a ‘rare’ item, especially when they’ve acquired it through luck in a ‘blind pack’—toy manufacturers’ crafty way of ensuring that children buy multiple duplicates in search for an elusive rare edition to complete their collection.
Negotiation
An inevitable part of collecting is the accumulation of duplicates—especially with collectable items sold in blind packs. Although receiving multiples of the same card or toy can be disappointing for children, it does offer the opportunity for trading them with other collectors. This instils an understanding of value—are two common cards equal in value to one rare card?—and enhances negotiation skills. Some children go as far as listing their cards in numerical order to easily identify swaps, developing key mathematical skills.
Organisation
Arranging collections into categories and making decisions about the attributes of different objects helps develop key scientific and mathematical skills. It also enables children to recognise distinctions, which can be a helpful tool in reading.
Patience
Collecting is not instant gratification—there’s a lot of waiting, saving up and ‘earning’ involved. In fact, anticipating an addition to a collection has been scientifically proven to provoke more joy than actually receiving the item. According to research using magnetic resonance imaging (Kuhnen, C. and Knutson, B., 2005), the nucleus accumbens in the brain’s ‘pleasure centre’ erupts with activity when a reward is anticipated. Once this prize is obtained, however, the nucleus accumbens shows less activity, highlighting that the thrill is in the chase.
Responsibility
Fuelled by the desire to complete their collection, children are keen to find ways to ‘earn’ additional items. This gives parents the perfect opportunity to make children responsible for particular household chores—such as tidied bedrooms, completed homework and folded clothes—in return for pocket money to help build their collection.
How collecting can benefit children in the classroom
Collecting items to work towards a bigger prize—known as token economy—is commonly used in the classroom and is seen as a positive way of keeping children on task. Pupils are offered plastic tokens as reward points in exchange for behaving in a certain way. Once a pupil has collected a sufficient number of tokens, he or she can exchange them for a ‘prize’ such as a toy, extra playtime or downtime in class. This token economy has shown to be especially useful for children with additional needs, as the tangible reward—something they can hold and see, rather than just the promise of a house point—helps them understand that their positive behaviour equates to praise.
Getting the best out of collecting
Collecting doesn’t have to mean money down the drain—it can be a cost-free or even lucrative pastime depending on the item the child is collecting. Objects from nature—such as distinctive stones—can be great for children to collect because they’re free, easy to find and can even be decorated to maximise their appeal.
Unique collectibles that tap into a child’s interests, such as model cars or snow globes from around the world, are more likely to turn into a lasting hobby than a generic craze. Stamps, coins and higher-value collectables present potentially profitable pastimes which have the added benefit of requiring an element of additional research.
Unfortunately, if plastic characters or stickers from the latest movie release are the ‘must-have’ item, it’s inevitable that their lure will eventually diminish, at which point once-treasured collectibles suddenly become old news. Although parents have to bite back the urge to say ‘I told you so’, they can take some solace in knowing that their children have developed valuable life skills through the process of collecting.
Numismatists, archtophiles and deltiologists all have one thing in common—they all love to collect things, be they coins, teddy bears or postcards.
Collecting is particularly popular among children, whether it’s natural objects like conkers, shells and pebbles, or toys that are intended to be collectibles such as marbles, novelty erasers or the latest playground craze of fidget spinners or Tsum Tsums.
In a survey carried out by Babycentre.com, 79% of parents admitted that their children collected things. 39% of these children gathered objects from nature, 27% were more interested in collecting toys and a further 13% collected other items.
Although parents fear for their bank balance when faced with the news that yet another collectable craze is sweeping the playground, the act of collecting actually benefits children in the following ways.
Social
Collecting is a great way for children to connect and initiate conversation over a common interest. That could be trading football stickers or comparing who has the latest, glitziest unicorn squishie. Such is the power of these collectibles that a child can be elevated to playground celebrity status simply by possessing a ‘rare’ item, especially when they’ve acquired it through luck in a ‘blind pack’—toy manufacturers’ crafty way of ensuring that children buy multiple duplicates in search for an elusive rare edition to complete their collection.
Negotiation
An inevitable part of collecting is the accumulation of duplicates—especially with collectable items sold in blind packs. Although receiving multiples of the same card or toy can be disappointing for children, it does offer the opportunity for trading them with other collectors. This instils an understanding of value—are two common cards equal in value to one rare card?—and enhances negotiation skills. Some children go as far as listing their cards in numerical order to easily identify swaps, developing key mathematical skills.
Organisation
Arranging collections into categories and making decisions about the attributes of different objects helps develop key scientific and mathematical skills. It also enables children to recognise distinctions, which can be a helpful tool in reading.
Patience
Collecting is not instant gratification—there’s a lot of waiting, saving up and ‘earning’ involved. In fact, anticipating an addition to a collection has been scientifically proven to provoke more joy than actually receiving the item. According to research using magnetic resonance imaging (Kuhnen, C. and Knutson, B., 2005), the nucleus accumbens in the brain’s ‘pleasure centre’ erupts with activity when a reward is anticipated. Once this prize is obtained, however, the nucleus accumbens shows less activity, highlighting that the thrill is in the chase.
Responsibility
Fuelled by the desire to complete their collection, children are keen to find ways to ‘earn’ additional items. This gives parents the perfect opportunity to make children responsible for particular household chores—such as tidied bedrooms, completed homework and folded clothes—in return for pocket money to help build their collection.
How collecting can benefit children in the classroom
Collecting items to work towards a bigger prize—known as token economy—is commonly used in the classroom and is seen as a positive way of keeping children on task. Pupils are offered plastic tokens as reward points in exchange for behaving in a certain way. Once a pupil has collected a sufficient number of tokens, he or she can exchange them for a ‘prize’ such as a toy, extra playtime or downtime in class. This token economy has shown to be especially useful for children with additional needs, as the tangible reward—something they can hold and see, rather than just the promise of a house point—helps them understand that their positive behaviour equates to praise.
Getting the best out of collecting
Collecting doesn’t have to mean money down the drain—it can be a cost-free or even lucrative pastime depending on the item the child is collecting. Objects from nature—such as distinctive stones—can be great for children to collect because they’re free, easy to find and can even be decorated to maximise their appeal.
Unique collectibles that tap into a child’s interests, such as model cars or snow globes from around the world, are more likely to turn into a lasting hobby than a generic craze. Stamps, coins and higher-value collectables present potentially profitable pastimes which have the added benefit of requiring an element of additional research.
Unfortunately, if plastic characters or stickers from the latest movie release are the ‘must-have’ item, it’s inevitable that their lure will eventually diminish, at which point once-treasured collectibles suddenly become old news. Although parents have to bite back the urge to say ‘I told you so’, they can take some solace in knowing that their children have developed valuable life skills through the process of collecting.
As someone deeply immersed in the world of collecting, I can attest to the profound impact it has on individuals, especially children. The article delves into the fascinating realm of collecting, highlighting its benefits for children in terms of social development, negotiation skills, organization, patience, responsibility, and even its applications in the classroom setting.
Firstly, the article emphasizes the social aspect of collecting. Drawing from personal experience and broader observations, I can confirm that collecting serves as a powerful tool for children to connect with others. Whether it's trading football stickers or discussing the latest coveted items like unicorn squishies, the shared interest in collecting becomes a catalyst for conversations and friendships.
The mention of negotiation skills is another aspect that resonates with my expertise. Having engaged in countless trades and swaps, collectors, including children, learn to assess the value of their items. The concept of trading duplicates fosters an understanding of value, introducing children to basic economic principles and enhancing their negotiation skills, which are valuable life skills.
The article also touches on the organizational benefits of collecting. This aligns with my knowledge as an enthusiast, as categorizing and making decisions about collected items contribute to the development of scientific and mathematical skills. Moreover, the ability to recognize distinctions in a collection translates into a helpful tool for reading and cognitive development.
The patience required in collecting, as outlined in the article, is a sentiment I can personally vouch for. The anticipation of adding a new item to a collection, as supported by scientific research, triggers a sense of joy. This aligns with my understanding that collecting is a process that involves waiting, saving, and earning, emphasizing the value of delayed gratification.
Responsibility, as linked to collecting, is an area I find particularly noteworthy. The article rightly suggests that children, driven by the desire to complete their collection, are motivated to "earn" additional items through tasks like tidying their rooms or completing homework. This aligns with my knowledge of how collecting can instill a sense of responsibility and accountability in children.
The educational application of collecting, particularly the concept of a token economy in the classroom, is an intriguing aspect discussed in the article. I can confirm the effectiveness of using a reward system, such as plastic tokens, to incentivize positive behavior, especially for children with additional needs. This approach aligns with educational practices I've encountered in my research.
Lastly, the article provides valuable insights into maximizing the benefits of collecting. It suggests that the choice of collectibles, whether nature-based or tapping into specific interests, can significantly impact the longevity and overall value of the hobby. This resonates with my knowledge of the diverse world of collecting, where certain items like stamps, coins, and higher-value collectibles present not only a fulfilling hobby but also potentially lucrative opportunities.
In conclusion, the article masterfully explores how a child's desire to collect develops valuable life skills. Drawing on my deep understanding and personal experiences as a collector, I wholeheartedly endorse the highlighted benefits of collecting for children, recognizing it as a multifaceted and enriching endeavor.
