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Cover of Child Life in Colonial Days

Child Life in Colonial Days

Written by Alice Morse Earle

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ChildrenUnited States

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About this book

"Child Life in Colonial Days" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book explores the everyday lives of children during the colonial period in America, providing insights into their experiences and societal roles. Earle aims to fill a gap in historical literature regarding the often-overlooked aspect of children's lives, focusing on their upbringing, education, and play in the context of the time. The opening of the book delves into the challenging conditions faced by children in the early American colonies, particularly those who arrived with the Pilgrims and other early settlers. Earle describes the harsh realities of infant mortality and the struggles for survival that both children and their families endured in the unfamiliar environments of Puritanical New England. Through the lens of personal accounts, diaries, and illustrations, Earle paints a vivid picture of both the joys and adversities of early childhood in colonial America, setting the stage for a deeper exploration in the chapters that follow.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Child Life in Colonial Days, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • informative
  • historical
  • reflective

Alice Morse Earle's "Child Life in Colonial Days" offers a meticulously researched historical account of children's experiences in early America. Published in the late 19th century, the book endeavors to illuminate the often-overlooked lives of colonial youth, detailing their upbringing, education, daily routines, and forms of play. Earle vividly portrays the challenging conditions of the era, from high infant mortality rates and the struggles of early settlers to the strictures of Puritanical New England. Through a rich tapestry of primary sources, personal anecdotes, and illustrations, the work provides a humanizing perspective on childhood amidst the hardships and unique societal structures of the colonial period, setting a foundation for understanding the development of American identity.

“The children of the Pilgrims knew little of childhood as we define it today; their lives were a blend of work, prayer, and the constant struggle for survival.”

Key themes

Survival and Resilience
This theme explores the challenging physical and environmental conditions faced by children in colonial America, including high infant mortality rates, disease, famine, and the general hardships of frontier life. It highlights the remarkable resilience of children and families in adapting to these circumstances, emphasizing their early exposure to labor and responsibility.
The Pervasive Influence of Religion
This theme examines how religious doctrines, particularly Puritanism in New England, profoundly shaped every aspect of a colonial child's life, from moral instruction and education to daily conduct and discipline. Children were taught early about sin, salvation, and the importance of obedience to God and elders.
Education and Literacy
Earle extensively details the varied forms of education available to colonial children, from informal home instruction to dame schools, Latin grammar schools, and apprenticeships. The theme highlights the value placed on literacy, often driven by religious imperatives, and the practical nature of much of colonial schooling.

Worth discussing

How does the concept of 'childhood' in colonial America, as depicted by Earle, differ from modern understandings of childhood?

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