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Period: 1300 to
Child Development Milestones Timeline
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1301
Medieval Times 1300
Children were seen as vulnerable during this time. Corporal Punishment was used on children. A governess would take care of the kids in the household. Students learned to read in Latin opposed to their spoken language. A young girl's marriage was commonly arranged at birth, and they were married around age 12. The only choice besides marrying the desired groom was to become a nun. -
Renaissance 1400-1600
Children were expected to act as adults in the way they dressed, talked, and acted. They were very vulnerable to different illnesses many poor families lost their children due to being able to care for them properly. Some families even resorted to selling their children in order to make money. The wealthy boys were the only ones that were allowed to have an education. Peasant children had to work. Daughters were expected to have a profitable marriage in order to provide for their families. -
Colonial America 1600-1763
Similar to during the renaissance children were considered lucky to have gotten through childhood. Children were taught certain trades in order to contribute to their families. In school's children were taught to read and write as well as some math. They were taught these skills, so they were able to write letters, read the bible and keep track of their finances. The girls would not attend school until age 12 and poor families could not afford schooling for their children. -
Children in the early 1800s
There were many authors that wrote about children in this time which allowed people to better understand them. If children made it to become teenagers, they would be expected to work the family business. Children would most likely not attend school after age 12. Children were treated very strictly and were often beaten for very minor offenses. They were expected to show the manners they were taught. -
The Young Native American Child 1800's early 1900's
These children were brought up much more nomadically than the other children. By the age of 5 they knew how to use a bow and arrow to hunt for food. They would perform chores such as feeding horses, fishing and hunting. The boys would enter manhood at age 12 by surviving 4 days in the wilderness with no food or water this was called a "Vision quest." Young girls were tasked with planting crops and making clothes. In school they learned how to make arrows, shelter and food. -
The Industrial Revolution Late 1800's-early 1900's
Child Labour was very normalized during this time period. Factories were being built constantly and they needed employees. Children did everything from working in factories, mines, fields and lumber yards. Some children were as young as 5 years old. They would work long hours in dangerous and unhealthy conditions. They were paid very little for their work. -
Orphan Trains 1854-1929
During this time over 100,000 children were shipped from New York to new homes in rural areas. The children did not know where they were going or how long it would take to get there. The goal of this was to get homeless children off of the streets and to new homes. However, some of these children were from poot families. There were some issues within this program as the new caretakers were not properly screened and some children were forced into slave work. -
Victorian Times 1830-1900 (The wealthy child)
The wealthy girl during Victorian times had no responsibilities and servants to look after them. The girls were often tutored at home learning how to read and write. They were taught to have manners draw and learn music. Boys were taught more skills such as Greek and Latin in order to prepare them for a higher education. The children often played with roller skates and bicycles. -
Children in the 20th century
At this time the white children started living a life that is more similar to what we see today. Unfortunately, life was not the same for colored children at this time. The first cars and planes were created, and companies were inventing new toys for children to play with. Children were not expected to make an income for their families and were treated like their age. Laws were created to protect children from child labor. -
Irish Immigrant Children early 1900's
During the late 1800's and early 1900's there were many Irish immigrants moving into the states. These immigrants often lived in small dirty apartments. They often took jobs as domestic servants and worked very long hours with little to no food. They worked every day and only made $4-$7 a week. These children would not receive an education. -
American Frontier 1607-1912
Children had to work in order for their families to survive. Kids as young as 4 and 5 years old had chores they were expected to complete. Schooling ended for boys and girls at age 12. School times were planned around harvest and planting times so children would be able to complete those tasks. The girls would make their own dolls to play with and the boys enjoyed wrestling. -
Children during World War 1 1914-1918
Many children lied about their age in order to assist in the war. Programs were set up to keep children strong and active so they would be ready for duty when of age. With the men being off at war many young boys had to become the man of the household and take care of their families. More families began to plant their own food in order for the nation to provide for the armies. The children would be encouraged to donate their piggy bank money to war efforts. -
The Great Depression 1929-1939
During the Great Depression children were subject to long and hours work hours trying to provide for their families. These children would often be pulled out of school as young as an elementary level. They were subject to malnutrition due to the scarcity of food. There was a very high infant mortality rate during this time. The orphan train started up in 1954 because there were a large number of orphans due to their parents succumbing to illness and malnutrition. -
Fair Labors Standard Act 1938
Due to the amount of child labor during the Industrial Revolution and Great Depression the Fair Labors Standard Act was passed in 1938. This act set the working age to 15 with limited hours. The time-of-day children were allowed to work was now regulated and if a child was supposed to be in school, they could not work. -
World War 2 1939-1945
Similar to World War 1 this war had an impact on children. Mothers had to go to work which left the young girls and boys taking care of the house and younger children. Many children suffered from anxiety and depression due to loosing family in the war. This war impacted what games children played and what movies they watched. Some children were forced to evacuate their homes for the duration of the war. -
The slave boy 1800's-1942
The slave boy was treated very poorly they often lived in a one room cabin with no glass windows and a dirt floor. They started working at a very young age tending cows, picking cotton, toting water and digging plants/foods. They would also attend to household chores. Some even were assigned to pick up things their masters dropped and shoo flies away. Others were assigned to be a playmate for the master's children. They were often not allowed an education and were punished for listening in. -
Brown Vs. Board of Education 1954
In 1954 the board of education made the ruling to integrate the white and colored schools. This ruling was very controversial and caused many protests. Colored students felt very uncomfortable at the previously white schools. However, this ruling is why we have diversity in our schools today. -
The Civil Rights Act 1964
In 1964 President Johnson signed the civil rights act. The Civil Rights Act outlawed the discrimination based on someone's sex, race, religion and national origin. This act helped to ensure that no matter what race or color a child was they had access to the same opportunities. This act has greatly influenced the diverse country we have today. -
Head Start Program 1964
Head start is a government sponsored program that has been used to teach 3- and 4-year-olds from poor family's important school skills. This program has helped to break the cycle of poverty and offer more opportunities for students. Head Start is still around today. -
Education for the Handicapped 1975
The United States Congress passed the education for the handicapped act in 1975. This act required all public schools to provide equal access for children with mental and physical disabilities. This act has since been renamed the Individuals with disabilities act and is still in effect today.