The famous poet Jacob Cats left his mark on the education of children in the seventeenth century. The impressionable child was to be brought up strictly from an early age and receive good education, so that he would later become a good Christian citizen. Playing was of secondary importance. That idea changed as the century progressed.
Jacob Cats and his ideas about education
Jacob Cats (1577-1660) was a well-known poet, politician and lawyer in the seventeenth century. His ideas about raising children were widely followed in those years. For example, he was in favor of a strict upbringing. Good education was extremely important and could start from the age of four. He believed that increasing knowledge, for example by reading difficult books, was more important than playing. A game from time to time was fine, but only to relax for a while between more important things.
The impressionable child
Father Cats, as Jacob Cats was also called, wrote a meaningful poem about the child. “… A chin is like a white piece of paper, so pay attention to this silly animal. Because if someone has a nice print on it, that is a noble white gift…” . In other words, a child is receptive to everything that is taught to him. Whether these are good things or bad. For example, he did not like threatening children who did not want to pass muster with monsters or bogeymen, while this was still commonplace in his time. He was also against punishments such as beating with a rod or slab (wooden plank). This was only allowed if there was absolutely no other option. It didn’t hurt to have a good cry after a beating. The child was able to express his emotions.
Becoming good Christian citizens
In general, the education of children was aimed at making them good Christian citizens. That is why learning to read was so important, because it allowed one to gain a lot of Bible knowledge.
Game restricted
In the seventeenth century it happened that gaming could be regulated or restricted by law. Playing was not allowed in churches or cemeteries. This doesn’t seem so strange. But throwing snowballs or making noise in the street was also not tolerated.
Playing becomes more important
As the century passed, play became increasingly important for children. Most toys were still made themselves (dolls made of wood, cloth or leather, balls, spinning tops, marbles). Girls usually played indoors. Although they played the same games as boys outside, for example spinning tops or marbles.
Cent prints
While stories used to be only told orally, people could now also buy affordable penny prints in bookstores or at the fair. They are seen as the precursors of the comic strip.
News was made public here in a graphic manner (disasters, crimes, battles). There were no children’s books in the seventeenth century.
Craft production of toys
With the growth of prosperity, the first artisanal production of toys emerged. The first toy stores opened their doors. It was a liberal profession, to which no regulations applied.
Nuremberg center for toy production trade
Nuremberg, Germany, has been an important trading center since the fifteenth century. Centrally located between numerous main roads, it now also became the European center for toy trade and production. Many woodcarvers lived there, who used to be mainly concerned with making religious images for the Catholic church, but who now had less work after the reform. They were forced to tap into another market. That is why they focused on making wooden toys. It became the start of a global market. Although at that time their customers were only rich people. news highlighted