The Historical Child Paidology; The Science of the Child

"The Historical Child" by Oscar Chrisman is a historical exploration of how children lived in different societies throughout time, with a deep look into their upbringing, traditions, and place in historical cultures like those in Ancient Mexico and Peru. It aims to give useful knowledge on how children were seen and treated in various societies, highlighting the history of childhood. The book begins with the idea of "paidology," which Chrisman explains as the scientific study of children and then moves into the lives of children in ancient Mexico during the Aztec civilization, talking about things like social class, the value of marriage and family, rituals around childbirth, and the different roles children had in their communities. Chrisman paints pictures with his descriptions and details about how children were cared for and treated, noting the educational practices, food, clothing, and fun activities that shaped their early years, setting the stage for a more detailed look at childhood across different cultures, grabbing readers with historical facts and human interest.