Kim:
 
I just had to respond to you about this.....didn't know you were at Santa
Barbara.   Our daughter started collecting shells when she was two years old  on
Gaviota Beach at low tides.  She used to pick up all those tiny wentletraps off
the lips of sea anemones.  We were ALL a part of the Santa Barbara Malacological
Society.  In fact, Jim and I are past presidents.  They didn't mind us bringing
our little girl to the meetings.  We had no television in our home until a few
years ago.  We spent evenings identifying shells with her.  Her fondest game
after she learned to read was for us to take all the labels off the shells in
the glass cabinet and let her put them back.      She is now all grown up and
teaches biology.  Her shell collection from the Santa Barbara area is on display
in her classroom.   She even learned the latin names before the common names.
SBMS wouldn't let us use common names at the meetings. She learned very quickly
from all the adults who shared with her. At that time they also had a Jr. Shell
Club.   We just started a jr. Shell Club in our club and the kids love it.  We
only have about 6 coming....but that is okay.   They can't wait for each meeting
to see what they can discover.
 
Parent's are really missing out by not spending time with their children and
nature.......they let tv and computers (whoops)  and video games entertain them
all the time.  The one-on-one with your child is sooooo important too.
 
Our grandson is now getting some of that same training.
 
 
 
 
 
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--
Jim and Bobbi Cordy
of Merritt Island, Florida.
 
Jim Specializes in Self-Collected
Caribbean & Florida Shells
 
Bobbi in Shell Creations