The Story of the Nursery
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About This Book
Originally published in 1958, this reconstruction of the lives of young children of nursery age is an excursion into the past, from the Middle Ages to the opening years of the twentieth century. It tells of the methods, often extraordinary to our ideas, by which they were brought up from babyhood to about seven years old, their clothes, diet, the fearsome remedies that were inflicted on them in illness, their toys, games, books and first steps in education. It shows how the pristine simplicity o
Our Review
This historical exploration takes readers on a fascinating journey through childhood across centuries, revealing how society's youngest members were raised from medieval times through the early 1900s. King-Hall meticulously reconstructs the often startling realities of nursery life, documenting everything from restrictive clothing and questionable medical treatments to early educational methods and playthings. The book exposes how cultural attitudes toward childhood have dramatically transformed, presenting child-rearing practices that range from curiously inventive to genuinely alarming by modern standards.
What makes this social history particularly compelling is its focus on the everyday experiences of children under seven, giving voice to a demographic often overlooked in historical narratives. Parents, educators, and history enthusiasts will find themselves equally captivated by the stark contrasts between past and present approaches to childhood development. The author's thorough research into toys, games, and early learning materials provides a textured understanding of how each era shaped its youngest generation, leaving readers with a profound appreciation for how far we've come in understanding childhood needs.
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