We often hear about the lifestyles of Victorian men and women - endless parties, social occasions and formal outings. But it is less clear what Victorian children did throughout their childhoods. In fact, Victorian children lived as their parents did - in luxury homes with nannies to look after them and many toys to play with. They would often be taken for walks in the park as well as to music festivals and fun carnivals. It is certain their lives were completely different to the lives poor Victorian children lived, which consisted of working in factories and chimney sweeping.
Rich Victorian girls and boys also had very different childhoods, particularly from the age of around 11 or 12. Young Victorian boys would most often be sent to prestigious schools such as Eton as soon as they were old enough, where they would be highly educated in order for them to follow suitable professions in adulthood. They would be encouraged to participate in sports such as cricket and shooting. Victorian girls, on the other hand, would receive much less education (particularly before the 1870 Education act, which required all children from five to 13 to attend school). Instead, they would be kept in the home and taught to become good wives. They would be encouraged to present themselves beautifully and practice good social etiquette. This was done in order for them to secure rich husbands in their later teen years.
Up until the age of around eight to ten, Victorian children would usually be looked after by nannies, perhaps only seeing their parents at mealtimes. They would have daily schedules that included walks in the park, piano lessons and reading, in addition to many changes of clothes. It was considered important to teach the children good manners and for them to be well presented at all times.
Rich Victorian girls and boys also had very different childhoods, particularly from the age of around 11 or 12. Young Victorian boys would most often be sent to prestigious schools such as Eton as soon as they were old enough, where they would be highly educated in order for them to follow suitable professions in adulthood. They would be encouraged to participate in sports such as cricket and shooting. Victorian girls, on the other hand, would receive much less education (particularly before the 1870 Education act, which required all children from five to 13 to attend school). Instead, they would be kept in the home and taught to become good wives. They would be encouraged to present themselves beautifully and practice good social etiquette. This was done in order for them to secure rich husbands in their later teen years.
Up until the age of around eight to ten, Victorian children would usually be looked after by nannies, perhaps only seeing their parents at mealtimes. They would have daily schedules that included walks in the park, piano lessons and reading, in addition to many changes of clothes. It was considered important to teach the children good manners and for them to be well presented at all times.