Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
HOW TO INVOLVE A YOUNGSTER
There is no simple answer, but, luckily, lots of good incomplete answers. I’m copying my friend Bob who may have insights into this as well or may know of some articles that might offer additional help.
I think the best advice I can give is that it should be fun (as defined by the kids), that you should either help them explore, or if they’re particularly independent, let them explore on their own, any area that is of interest.
For a 10 year old, stamps are probably an entry into history or some form of organizing the world, so, maybe by giving him some stock pages, you allow him to organize and re-organize his collection. For the six year old, it’s probably just pretty pictures.
Whatever they do today, it’s likely to have changed multiple times before they quit.
Some things you could do is photocopy some of the recent panes and see if they can collect all the stamps from a pane (hinge them right to the photocopy).
Or introduce them to some countries that might be easy to get (UK, Canada, US, Germany).
Find out what they want to do. If there’s a stamp club near you, go with them and introduce them. Trust me, most of us are more than happy to take kids under our wings and give them as much, or little, guidance as they want.
You could have them both join our electronic club (You need to register them as we take protecting minors seriously; I’m copying my friend Kathy on this so you have her email if you decide to pursue this). You can get a wealth of information from us, and likely many people will happily donate stamps to fit your kids’ interests.
Be aware that you need not (and really should not) invest heavily now; whatever you buy is really just a toy and will have the same value as an old toy later. When the kids are older and more focused, it’s possible that they can actually invest with some expectation of a financial return, but it’s a misguided notion to think of stamps as providing much more than enjoyment, knowledge, and a door to some positive relationships.
What to collect. There are a million answers. I collect stamps and seals (Christmas, Easter, Boys Town) on envelope primarily to document their history and usage. I also have stamps in albums, but it’s my post cards and envelopes that are my treasures. Kathy also collects seals, but not on envelope; she also have thematic collections, one of which is light houses. Bob collects things that relate to history: Vietnam era correspondence, air plane crashes, New Mexico history. Oddly, each of us enjoys learning what the other collects and, when possible, feeds it.
Anyway, that’s a start. Feel free to ask more questions.
David Teisler
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Thanks for the insight. I am getting ready to work with my younger son's (7-8 year olds) cub scout den to earn thier collecting belt loop. I've recently inherited a bunch of stamps and as I'm sorting, I'm realizing that I've got bunches of lower value stamps that would allow me to put together a small 10 stamp introductory kit. I just need to figure out which ones I'm donating and them make up a page or two for them to stick them to.
At this point, I figured I'd teach them real basic hindging, and soak a few stamps. Other than that, I haven't even figured out what I'm going to talk about though. I'm thinking that the actual talking part needs to be less than 20 minutes. Anyone have any suggestions?
With your permission, I'd like to make photocopies of your post and hand those out to the parents.
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As an addition, I think I'm going to also "borrow" some information from this site:
http://www.2-clicks-stamps.com/article/stamp-collecting-for-kids.html
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Pat, borrow and steal from everyone; we'll all take it as compliments. Do you need some common stamp donations? I'll send you some if you do.
20 minutes for 7 year olds? It will feel like a sentence to the gulag. 2 minutes most, then give them one or several projects, and let them make their own, too.
Ideas might be: where is this stamp from; finding stamps in a catalogue; soaking is good (remember most US stamps don't soak anymore, so be careful about exercises in futility).
Get a map of the world (or just the US) and have them identify where stamps came from or, if on cover, how it travelled.
Compare currencies. Ask them if they who the leaders are (there's an interesting Scott-produced sheet of leaders from turn of the 20th century offered in auction right now that might help with a few). Find countries on a map.
If you get to day 2, bring in stamps from dead countries or countries that have changed
The more THEY do and the less you talk, the better it will go.
David
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David,
Thanks for the input. As for donations. I'm currently going through my inexpensive "extras" to put together 10 identicle sets of 10 different stamps for them. Right now I have some "oldie but goodies" as well as some "newer" items as well. I'll put a shout out if I run into a shortage. Thanks for the offer, I'll let you know.
Here's what I've "recycled" so far for thier "collection":
#803 1938 1/2c Presidential Series - Benjamin Franklin, Orange (Single-MHN)
#1030 1958 1/2c Liberty Series - Benjamin Franklin (Single-MHN)
#1031 1954 1c Liberty Series - George Washington (Single - MNH)
#3031 1999 1c America Kestrel (Single - MNH)
#3614 2002 3c Red, White And Blue Star (Single - MNH)
#3750 2004 2c American Design Series - Navajo Necklace (Pair (Still Attached) - MNH)
As I'm sorting the "trashbag collection", it looks like I'll have a bunch of some others in canceled format as well.
Pat
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you can even use different formats of the same design, for instance, the kestrel and 3c star both come in sheet and coil versions. can they tell the difference.
enjoy
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I was cleaning out my emails (over 10.5k to be purged or filed or what?) and came across one I sent in response to a dad looking for ways to help his two youngish sons who had already expressed some interest. I thought the ideas were decent, so I thought I'd resurrect them before deleting that email (down to 10,499)
HOW TO INVOLVE A YOUNGSTER
There is no simple answer, but, luckily, lots of good incomplete answers. I’m copying my friend Bob who may have insights into this as well or may know of some articles that might offer additional help.
I think the best advice I can give is that it should be fun (as defined by the kids), that you should either help them explore, or if they’re particularly independent, let them explore on their own, any area that is of interest.
For a 10 year old, stamps are probably an entry into history or some form of organizing the world, so, maybe by giving him some stock pages, you allow him to organize and re-organize his collection. For the six year old, it’s probably just pretty pictures.
Whatever they do today, it’s likely to have changed multiple times before they quit.
Some things you could do is photocopy some of the recent panes and see if they can collect all the stamps from a pane (hinge them right to the photocopy).
Or introduce them to some countries that might be easy to get (UK, Canada, US, Germany).
Find out what they want to do. If there’s a stamp club near you, go with them and introduce them. Trust me, most of us are more than happy to take kids under our wings and give them as much, or little, guidance as they want.
You could have them both join our electronic club (You need to register them as we take protecting minors seriously; I’m copying my friend Kathy on this so you have her email if you decide to pursue this). You can get a wealth of information from us, and likely many people will happily donate stamps to fit your kids’ interests.
Be aware that you need not (and really should not) invest heavily now; whatever you buy is really just a toy and will have the same value as an old toy later. When the kids are older and more focused, it’s possible that they can actually invest with some expectation of a financial return, but it’s a misguided notion to think of stamps as providing much more than enjoyment, knowledge, and a door to some positive relationships.
What to collect. There are a million answers. I collect stamps and seals (Christmas, Easter, Boys Town) on envelope primarily to document their history and usage. I also have stamps in albums, but it’s my post cards and envelopes that are my treasures. Kathy also collects seals, but not on envelope; she also have thematic collections, one of which is light houses. Bob collects things that relate to history: Vietnam era correspondence, air plane crashes, New Mexico history. Oddly, each of us enjoys learning what the other collects and, when possible, feeds it.
Anyway, that’s a start. Feel free to ask more questions.
David Teisler
Login to Like
this post
re: How TO INVOLVE A YOUNGSTER
Thanks for the insight. I am getting ready to work with my younger son's (7-8 year olds) cub scout den to earn thier collecting belt loop. I've recently inherited a bunch of stamps and as I'm sorting, I'm realizing that I've got bunches of lower value stamps that would allow me to put together a small 10 stamp introductory kit. I just need to figure out which ones I'm donating and them make up a page or two for them to stick them to.
At this point, I figured I'd teach them real basic hindging, and soak a few stamps. Other than that, I haven't even figured out what I'm going to talk about though. I'm thinking that the actual talking part needs to be less than 20 minutes. Anyone have any suggestions?
With your permission, I'd like to make photocopies of your post and hand those out to the parents.
Login to Like
this post
re: How TO INVOLVE A YOUNGSTER
As an addition, I think I'm going to also "borrow" some information from this site:
http://www.2-clicks-stamps.com/article/stamp-collecting-for-kids.html
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this post
Auctions
re: How TO INVOLVE A YOUNGSTER
Pat, borrow and steal from everyone; we'll all take it as compliments. Do you need some common stamp donations? I'll send you some if you do.
20 minutes for 7 year olds? It will feel like a sentence to the gulag. 2 minutes most, then give them one or several projects, and let them make their own, too.
Ideas might be: where is this stamp from; finding stamps in a catalogue; soaking is good (remember most US stamps don't soak anymore, so be careful about exercises in futility).
Get a map of the world (or just the US) and have them identify where stamps came from or, if on cover, how it travelled.
Compare currencies. Ask them if they who the leaders are (there's an interesting Scott-produced sheet of leaders from turn of the 20th century offered in auction right now that might help with a few). Find countries on a map.
If you get to day 2, bring in stamps from dead countries or countries that have changed
The more THEY do and the less you talk, the better it will go.
David
Login to Like
this post
re: How TO INVOLVE A YOUNGSTER
David,
Thanks for the input. As for donations. I'm currently going through my inexpensive "extras" to put together 10 identicle sets of 10 different stamps for them. Right now I have some "oldie but goodies" as well as some "newer" items as well. I'll put a shout out if I run into a shortage. Thanks for the offer, I'll let you know.
Here's what I've "recycled" so far for thier "collection":
#803 1938 1/2c Presidential Series - Benjamin Franklin, Orange (Single-MHN)
#1030 1958 1/2c Liberty Series - Benjamin Franklin (Single-MHN)
#1031 1954 1c Liberty Series - George Washington (Single - MNH)
#3031 1999 1c America Kestrel (Single - MNH)
#3614 2002 3c Red, White And Blue Star (Single - MNH)
#3750 2004 2c American Design Series - Navajo Necklace (Pair (Still Attached) - MNH)
As I'm sorting the "trashbag collection", it looks like I'll have a bunch of some others in canceled format as well.
Pat
Login to Like
this post
Auctions
re: How TO INVOLVE A YOUNGSTER
you can even use different formats of the same design, for instance, the kestrel and 3c star both come in sheet and coil versions. can they tell the difference.
enjoy
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this post