Medieval Children - Life in Medieval Days

Ages Zero to 10
With problems of proper nutrition, lack of medical facilities and wild animals, only 40% of children made it past the age of 10. Most children did not read or write; men intended for scholarly professions might be taught to do these things. All children would be taught skills they would need in adulthood - girls to cook and clean, boys to fish, hunt and perhaps a trade.

Children were considered additional workers for the home and farm. They were expected to help out with chores as soon as they were able.

Here are some early milestones:
6 mo - can grab for objects (not yet pick them up), can barely sit
1 yr - just learning to walk, 1-3 words, wave bye
2 yr - can run, speak 50+ words, likes to say "no"
3 yr - asks tons of questions, can reason
4 yr - can count, dress, climb ladders
5 yr - talks in full sentences, can behave in groups. Kindergarten age
6 yr - can count to 100, play simple sports

Marriages would often be arranged at ages as young as ten. However, the marriage would not be consummated until the girl hit puberty, which was at an average age of 16. As that might seem "normal" - keep in mind that as soon as the girl was ready, she would be expected to start having sex and bearing children.

There are many historical records of girls aged 12 and 13 bearing children to their husbands. Normally these are "royal" girls though - the average girl would wait a few years before subjecting her body to those traumas.

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