Signature Stamps

We don't go gaga for many "personalized" items in our household, although if we tried, I admit there might be some sort of hidden magic for a four-year-old. We also aren't hugely into stamps, which we've held off on until Z has had a little more time to feel ownership over her drawing abilities. So although it was surprising for us to find ourselves deeply desirous of a personalized stamp, we had no confusion about our feelings. Even at first glance, the brilliance of this idea was pretty obvious to us.


Z learned how to write her name almost a year ago now, but the name she goes by (which actually does start with Z) is in fact her middle name - her first name is longer, and even less common, and for some reason she has started introducing herself to strangers by that name, or by her full name, which is a mouthful - first, middle, second middle (which is Jenni's maiden name), and last. So we got a name stamp with her first name, which she doesn't yet know how to spell. It doesn't help that this unusual name is spelled in an unusual way, for reasons I'll save for another time.

The Little Stamp Company's "Signature" Stamps turn the allure of stamps to a satisfying and productive educational end. Dotted lines are, of course, the universal symbol for "trace me," which Z has eagerly done about a hundred times since we received this stamp in the mail a few days ago. LSC should be making a mint off of this idea, and we hope they are.

At $25 for a self-inking stamp in blue, purple, or green ink and up to nine letters, it isn't the cheapest stamp you'll ever buy. We think it's a really clever way to help your child learn to spell their name, and one that will have them pretty actively engaged. For the greatest benefit, we recommend the caps-and-lowercase combination rather than all caps. Kids see capital letters everywhere; it's the lowercase, and mixing cases, they need help with to keep from getting confused later.

Z has cried over having to stop using the stamp (to leave for the grocery store, to go to bed, etc.) on more than one occasion, which is one of the more obvious ways she has of telling us that she gives a review item two thumbs up.

You can buy Signature Stamps from the Little Stamp Company from the company website or The Silly Wagon.