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4000 BCE
Around 4000 BCE (Ancient Egypt)
All but the children of the rich are expected to work as farmers for live, the few lucky children are able to go to school to be a scribe (writer) Lambert, Tim. “A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHILDREN.” History of Children, 2013, www.localhistories.org/children.html. -
1000 BCE
Around 1000 CE (Medieval Ages)
Children are considered “children” until they are 12 and are expected to work to help support their families. Chronicles, Medieval. “Medieval Chronicles.com.” Medieval Chronicles | Medieval Times | Medieval Life, 2014, www.medievalchronicles.com/medieval-people/medieval-children/. -
400 BCE
Around 400 BCE
Sparta kills all newborns with imperfections to remove the weak
Spartan leaders review all newborns for possible visible imperfections. If one is found the child is often killed by being thrown off a ceremonial cliff. This was done to preserve the bloodline as the weak had no place in ancient Sparta. Schrader, Helena P. “Sparta Reconsidered.” The Birth of Sparta - Causes of the Spartan Revolution, 11 Nov. 2008, spartareconsidered.blogspot.com/2011/11/infanticide-in-sparta-and-athens.html. -
1300
Around 1300 (Aztec Empire)
Children are taught professions by farmers and workmen in fair, non labour camp conditions. Lambert, Tim. “A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHILDREN.” History of Children, 2013, www.localhistories.org/children.html. -
1658
ohn Amos Comenius, known as the Father of Modern Education and was the first to recognize that the play of childhood was learning, produced the first children's picture book, "The World Illustrated". Levine, Joni. “Milestones: A Child Care History Timeline.” Child Care Lounge, 2011, childcarelounge.com/pages/milestones-a-child-care-history-timeline. -
1762
Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau states that a child's mode of thinking is different than an adult and they learn through hands-on experience. Levine, Joni. “Milestones: A Child Care History Timeline.” Child Care Lounge, 2011, childcarelounge.com/pages/milestones-a-child-care-history-timeline. -
1833
Actionable child labor laws are passed in the United Kingdom limiting the amount of hours a child can work in a day and week Lambert, Tim. “A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHILDREN.” History of Children, 2013, www.localhistories.org/children.html. -
1870
Education is made compulsory in the United Kingdom for all until the age of 10 Politicus. “Education Leaving Age.” Politics.co.uk, 10 Apr. 2012, www.politics.co.uk/reference/education-leaving-age. -
1873
First public school kindergarten started in St. Louis Levine, Joni. “Milestones: A Child Care History Timeline.” Child Care Lounge, 2011, childcarelounge.com/pages/milestones-a-child-care-history-timeline. -
1907
Montessori Method invented by Maria Montessori
The first Montessori method school is opened in Italy by teacher and doctor Maria Montessori Montessori . “Montessori Education.” American Montessori Society : Education That Transforms Lives, Montessori Method , 2018, amshq.org/Montessori-Education. -
1926
National Association for the Education of Young Children is founded. Now over 100,000 members and 400 affiliates. Levine, Joni. “Milestones: A Child Care History Timeline.” Child Care Lounge, 2011, childcarelounge.com/pages/milestones-a-child-care-history-timeline. -
1936
Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development is released which says that children move through four different stages of mental development. Mcleod, Saul. “Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development.” Simply Psychology, Simply Psychology, 6 June 2018, www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html. -
1946
the National School Lunch Program is implemented by president Harry truman. The service provides free lunch to children from poor economic backgrounds Food and Nutrition Service. “National School Lunch Program (NSLP).” Food and Nutrition Service, 0AD, www.fns.usda.gov/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp -
1947
“A word of encouragement from a teacher can change a child's life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage. A word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach their potential”
John C. Maxwell -
1969
The first Kindercare center is opened, Called the Coal Mine Kindercare Levine, Joni. “Milestones: A Child Care History Timeline.” Child Care Lounge, 2011, childcarelounge.com/pages/milestones-a-child-care-history-timeline. -
1989
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is held by the United Nations. This establishes the basic rights of all children, which consist of the basic needs for physical protection and food UNICEF. “Convention on the Rights of the Child.” OHCHR | Freedom of Religion: UN Expert Hails Albania, but Notes New Challenges and Unresolved Issues from the Past, 1989, www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx. -
1997
the Adoption and Safe Families Act is adopted. The act strengthens the laws regarding adoption, parental rights, and foster care Child and Family Services Reviews. “Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA).” Child Maltreatment, 2010, training.cfsrportal.acf.hhs.gov/section-2-understanding-child-welfare-system/2999. -
2001
The No Child Left Behind Act bill is passed. The NCLB Act wanted teachers to implement teaching methods that were scientifically proven to be successful rather than fads and trends with no research backing up their effectiveness. Levine, Joni. “Milestones: A Child Care History Timeline.” Child Care Lounge, 2011, childcarelounge.com/pages/milestones-a-child-care-history-timeline -
2013 - Present
The push for affordable or free preschools comes from many levels of government. Today only 6 out of 10 children in kindergarten edge have access to a full day of education and care. Action is being taken to reduce the education gap. Department of Health and Human Services. “Preschool for All.” Children's Bureau | ACF, 2013, www.acf.hhs.gov/ecd/preschool-for-all.
