What Did ancient mayan children do all day?
Family Life in the Mayan Civilization
Families were extremely important to the Mayan culture, and it was very important to respect the leaders in one’s family. A sense of responsibility was another important quality which children had to learn early in life. They were encouraged to be independent, self-confident and to develop the ability to make decisions. It is believed that the most important quality for children to have was common sense.
The Mayan family probably awoke before dawn to have breakfast mostly hot chocolate but if they weren't rich enough a thick, hot corn drink called atole and tortillas or tamales. The Mayan family all lived together. The mens' duties including farming and hunting while the women would cook and weave.
Young Mayan children would learn skills by shadowing their parents and were included and given responsibilities from around the age of 3 or 4 years old meaning that they were considered useful from a young age.
Young girls were expected to do household duties such as cleaning, sewing and washing. Women would wake up before dawn to light the fire. They did a lot around the house like cook, clean and take care of animals Mayan women also cleaned corn that had to be boiled and left to soak overnight. With the help of their daughters Women made little breads and cooked them over the fire and they would serve it in the morning or save it for dinner. During the day women and older girls looked after the children and animals. They cleaned their homes and made clothes for the kids and parents.
Today we have machines to help us such as dishwashers and washing machines but they did it all by hand! I mean could you cope?
Boys would usually help their fathers. Ancient Mayan men had lots of different types of jobs such as farmer, food grower, hunter food gatherer or meat shepherd or maybe ditch digger. When boys reached four or five the dad would start training the boys to help with farming crops and also to hunt. Mayan fathers and sons ate their breakfast before work on the field. When they were not busy, they would hunt for animals.
When the children were 15 they were expected to be independent.
The children only went to an actual school if they came from a important, wealthy family.