He died in 1872 with a collection of more than 110,000 manuscripts and books. Auction houses in New York and London held more than 60 sales to disperse the collection. Aerospace engineer Jerry Slocum, a contemporary collector, buys and solves mind-boggling puzzles. Although at times it may seem as if your child's collection has grown to mammoth proportions, you won't have to take out a mortgage on a second home. It's all part of a unique learning experience inherent to growing up, and you can help your child make the most of it.
Experts say that collecting at a young age can lead to a lifetime of learning.
Collecting teaches us to observe similarities and differences. In fact, children are the best at observing because they don't have preconceived notions. Children have been known to make scientific discoveries that are even publishable. It can start on vacation, or just down the street. The important thing for parents to know is that the learning begins the moment the first rock is unearthed or the first seashell is plucked from the sand.