Topics in Kansas History: Community & Daily Life

Essay on Children

For most children growing up in Kansas in the 19th century, their life centered around the family farm. While assisting their parents with daily chores, children learned skills they would need as adults.

During the 1800s, childhood began to be recognized as a separate stage in life. For centuries before, children were dressed and expected to act as miniature adults. This change in attitude is reflected in the special clothing and toys produced in this era and the emergence of separate childhood activities.

In 1887, the state opened the Soldiers' Orphans' Home in Atchison for children of Union soldiers and sailors. At first limited to veterans' children age five and under, regulations were altered in 1889 to admit all "dependent, neglected or abused children" between the ages of two and fourteen. The name was changed to the State Orphans' Home in 1909.

Attending school was a third facet of children's lives in addition to work and play. In the 1860s, the average school term was around three months. As a rule, older boys and girls went to school during the winter months when they could be spared from their farm chores. By 1920, the school term had been lengthened to eight months and attendance was mandatory.

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