Colonial children played an important role in the lives of puritans and the colony. The mortality rate of children in the colonies was much higher than now due to sanitation and accidents. It was not unusual for one in ten children to die from disease, sickness, or accidents. Children had certain duties and roles that they played between the ages of birth to three, three to six, and seven to twelve.
As infants the babies were kept in long and narrow beds or cradles because the puritans believed if the baby would stretch their legs they would walk faster. At about six months babies would be dressed in Petrie coats or skirts that were longer than their legs to discourage crawling. The puritans believed learning to walk was very important. To …show more content…
Children did not wear underwear of any sort this helped making going to the bathroom easy. Children's shoes were made of leather. At meal time children were supposed to eat silently and quickly and then leave the table. Often times they stood behind the adults and food would be handed to them. They were to be seen and not heard. Young children between the ages of three and six had household chores one of the favorite chore was to pick the feathers from geese 3-4 times a year. Other chores included shelling corn and cutting sugar.
Seven was a very crucial age in colonial time. It would be compared to turning sixteen in present day. Males were given breeches to wear. He would now where a waistcoat and a hat. The threat of being put back into children's clothes kept the boys in line. Females remained in childish clothes until they turned twelve. Boys attended grammar school for their education in writing and reading. For girls school came second to household chores or working for the family business.
Colonial children differed very much from children now a days. Instead of playing and having their own opinions they were expected to be quiet and listen. They were given jobs and tasks to due. They attended very little school. Although they differ from children today they played a key role in forming and helping colonies
As infants the babies were kept in long and narrow beds or cradles because the puritans believed if the baby would stretch their legs they would walk faster. At about six months babies would be dressed in Petrie coats or skirts that were longer than their legs to discourage crawling. The puritans believed learning to walk was very important. To …show more content…
Children did not wear underwear of any sort this helped making going to the bathroom easy. Children's shoes were made of leather. At meal time children were supposed to eat silently and quickly and then leave the table. Often times they stood behind the adults and food would be handed to them. They were to be seen and not heard. Young children between the ages of three and six had household chores one of the favorite chore was to pick the feathers from geese 3-4 times a year. Other chores included shelling corn and cutting sugar.
Seven was a very crucial age in colonial time. It would be compared to turning sixteen in present day. Males were given breeches to wear. He would now where a waistcoat and a hat. The threat of being put back into children's clothes kept the boys in line. Females remained in childish clothes until they turned twelve. Boys attended grammar school for their education in writing and reading. For girls school came second to household chores or working for the family business.
Colonial children differed very much from children now a days. Instead of playing and having their own opinions they were expected to be quiet and listen. They were given jobs and tasks to due. They attended very little school. Although they differ from children today they played a key role in forming and helping colonies