ok. So I have collected at least a dozen shells and butterflies, but number in the collection screen is only going up every 2-3 items. Is this on purpose?

If they are duplicates, only the first one of a particular type "counts." The duplicates are turned into tech points. Watch the description of the child's actions, and you can see the difference when they pick them up.

Thanks!! Makes sense.

Actually, I love this part!!! Tech-points for sea shells. Nice!

I collect all of the shells I can find even if they are duplicates because they add to your tech points.

Not just the shells—all of the duplicate collectibles

I love this feature! It is really nice to be able to gain a quick 100 tech points for simply collecting something.

I think you get more if the collectible is uncommon or rare, too -- even better!

Yep, you do get more, if it's a harder to find collectable. Here is what each group is worth:
Duplicate common collectables= Adds 100 tech points.
Duplicate uncommon collectables= Adds 250 tech points.
Duplicate rare collectables= Adds 1500 tech points.

OK, here is a question...I have all the butterflies, and all but one of the shells (an uncommon one). It has been on the screen 5 times and I have had a different child pick it up 5 times, but the location it is being put makes the first completed hut in the way of the child and the research hut. When the child tries to run back to the research hut, he does the "isola boogie" (when they try to run somewhere and something is in their way and they bounce back and forth) and lost the item all 5 times. It has been over 24 hours since it has appeared the last time. Please tell me that 5 times is not the limit for uncommon items to appear...

HG

PS. And is there anything that can be done in game physics to fix the "isola boogie" so it doesn't happen?