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A Young Person's Life in the 1700s


 California Standard 5.4 Students understand the political, religious, social, and economic institutions that evolved in the colonial era.  

Young people in colonial America had to work hard from early morning until sunset. Girls helped their mothers with chores such as churning butter, making candles, cleaning, and making clothes. Boys chopped wood, cared for the animals, and helped their fathers and male relatives. There was little time for play. However, young people found a few hours each week when they might have fun.

 

Case Study
An Apprentice’s Life

Learn what it takes to be an apprentice in the 1700s. What sort of training did apprentices go through? What were the benefits of becoming an apprentice?

 
 


Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic

What did young people learn in school in the 1700s? Puritan children read a book called The New England Primer. The country's first textbook taught reading using the Christian religion. Scroll down to read how colonial children learned the letters of the alphabet.

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Rules for Behavior

How were young people expected to behave in the 1700s? Read George Washington’s description of the rules of behavior. Which of these rules do you follow today?

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Games

Choose a game or activity to help you experience life in the 1700s.