CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE AGES

PRINCIPLES OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

EDUCATION

Presenter - Udayangani Olu

 LIFESTYLE
• Babies were breastfed until they were two or more by their mothers
• In Nobel families children were looked after by wet-nurses
• Children were given tasks in keeping with their ages and expected to
help around the home and in the fields
• For younger children looking after their smaller siblings
• Copral punishment was common
• Beating and harsh words are accepted ways to teach children
• Boys learned farming, fishing, and other trades
 FOOD
• Poor children survived on garden vegetables and bread
• Staple food was “potage” made from vegetables with meat
• Fresh milk didn’t last long since there were no refrigerators so it was
turned into cheese.
• Wealthier families drank nut milk
 CLOTHING

• Infants were typically swaddled in long strips of cloth to protect them

• It’s unclear what young children wore they may have been naked or
partly clothed.
• Usually children were bareheaded but once married girls would have
worn headdresses too.
 EDUCATION AND
DISCIPLINE
• Mostly they learned from their parents
• There were some opportunities for formal schools such as cathedral
or Grammar school.
• Could go on to university around 14-16 years.
• Girls were more likely to have a tutor appointed to teach them.
• Girls from noble families might receive an education in music, and
dance ,preparing them for marriage and social responsibilities.
 GAMES AND TOYS
• Middle Ages played games like chess, archery, football
knucklebones and hazard (both played with a form of dice)
• Children are mentioned making their toys such as boats from pieces
of bread, small houses from stones
• Dolls known as “poppets” which are made out of cloth or wood