Collection

A guest post by Meaghan Gustafson, La Farge Schools District Administrator, Parent and KVR Enthusiast

We are a family of collectors. Even though I am drawn to the clean lines and bare walls of a minimalist aesthetic, the collection clutter wins. Stacks of books, shelves full of trinkets and old treasures, a pile of found objects by the front door. 

As our time away from normal routines extend, we find ourselves settling into a different type of family life. New rhythms, a smaller circle, and extra time spent outside (not to mention the challenges of working from home, an escalation in sibling rivalry, and daily wondering how this or that area of the house became messy again). A collection of a different kind of day, and new memories.

Our go-to family activity is hiking. We throw a water bottle and a few snacks in a backpack, and head out with our oldest (freshly 8), and youngest (4), and dog and see what we can find. Some whining or minor injuries or arguing over who gets to be first are always a feature, but we find fun. We poke around, walk on logs, hang on branches, throw rocks in streams.  Our eyes remain watchful for whatever natural treasures we can find. This early spring, on one hike alone, we returned from our woods with six (6!) antler sheds! A banner day for our collector hearts.

This spring, although my kids have certainly had more screen time than they ever did pre-pandemic, they have also had much more time outside.  I have enjoyed watching their evolution into independent outdoor explorers, and through this gift of more time with them I have noticed their play often includes a form of collecting. Whether it is a challenge presented for one by the other (how many mayapples can you find?) or their own interest-led collecting (gathering acorns as bait for their “bear trap”), collecting both captivates their attention and captures their imagination.

As it turns out, collecting is a good brain-builder too. 

Collecting provides an obtainable challenge for kids, and provides a situation where they retain an element of control and autonomy over what, when, how, and where to collect.

Adding to a collection requires the collector to be alert and watchful for the item or features of an item not yet found. There is the moment of discovery (!) and then a sense of accomplishment.

A collection itself provides additional opportunities for investigation. Collections can be sorted by type, size, shape or color. Patterns can be created, arrangements prepared for presentation. Examination of collected items can lead to new questions and curiosities to research. Vocabulary grows.

Collecting can take many forms.

• Bird sightings- mark the date and location in a bird book

• Gather rocks - always on the hunt for interesting looking rocks, my son found a great shell fossil on our driveway this past month!

• Steps or miles- how many can be accumulated in a day, a week, a month, a season?

• Animal signs- how many and of what types of tracks, scat, holes, nests, feathers or fur can be found on a hike? 

• Sticks- a collection of sticks can be a great many things! A tool kit, a pretend-play family, or the makings of a fort. Also: acorns, pinecones, nuts of any kind.

• Berries - a handful of berries or another wild-foraged food makes a satisfying snack.

• Paths- My family has been working on tackling the 2020 KVR Trail Challenge during the Safer at Home order. 

• Nature Table- arrange an assortment of seasonal finds on a shelf, windowsill, or tray.

To collect is to continuously experience the thrill of the find. Even without a target in mind, the search, the discovery, still delights!

Keep in mind that in many places the physical collecting of flowers, animals, or rocks is not allowed and there are restrictions on collection of certain migratory bird specimens. They can still be added to a collection through photographing or journaling.

Here are a some great related reads for collectors and their families:

Cabinet of Curiosities is a treasure of a book to inspire young collectors. Every page is filled with beautiful images and information on classification, tips for curating treasures, and the history of collecting. The author was interviewed on Science Friday here.

Grice, G. (2015). Cabinet of curiosities: Collecting and understanding the wonders of the natural world.

Art Forms in Nature is based on Ernst Haekel's prints from around the turn of the 20th century. These delicate illustrations of microscopic organisms, plants, and animals help provide an understanding of geometric forms and the beauty of studying closely and carefully. 

Haeckel, E. H. P. A., Breidbach, O., & Eibl-Eibesfeldt, I. (2019). Art forms in nature: The prints of Ernst Haeckel.