Conception of childhood Alejandra Gonzalez

An Essay Concerning Human Understanding

1690

It´s a work by John Locke in which he describes human´s minds at birth as a "blank slate", thus the importance of providing children with knowledge and a good example for them to develop their minds instead of forcing them.

Émile, ou De l’éducation

1762

Emile, or On Education, it´s a novel by Jean Jacques Rousseau in which he defined childhood as a short period of sanctuary before people encounter the perils and hardships of adulthood.

The age of innocence

1785

The age of innocence It´s a paint by Sir Joshua Reynolds, in which he portraits the innocence and natural grace of the posing child

Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood

1807

Also known as "Immortality ode", It´s a poem by William Wordsworth in which he describes the idea of childhood as a locus of divinity and innocence.

Humorism

1850

Galen believed that humans passed through 4 separate ages, each controlled by a different humor, in the case of small infants, they were dominated by the blood humor, and youth by the red choler (that could evoke qualities like boldness, arrogance), so parents were responsible for providing a proper education so kids wouldn´t be tempted to do wrong.

L’Enfant et la Vie Familiale sous l’Ancien Régime

1960

"Centuries of childhood" (translation) it´s a book by Philippe Ariès in which he stated that childhood was a concept created by modern society. This book was the first on the topic of the history of childhood.