From a young age, children were entrusted with tasks appropriate for their strength and abilities. Here's a general outline of their daily routine:
Early Rising: Children would wake up before sunrise, usually around 5-6 am. This was essential to get started on chores and ensure a productive day.
Morning Chores: The day would begin with feeding and tending to the farm animals, such as chickens, pigs, and cows. Children would gather eggs, collect manure for fertilizer, and even help milk cows if they were old enough.
Housework: Girls would often help with indoor tasks such as cleaning, cooking, baking, and preserving food. They would also assist with preparing meals for the entire family.
Fieldwork: As children grew older, they would gradually engage in more complex tasks in the fields. They would help with planting, weeding, harvesting, and tending to crops. Depending on the season, this could involve working in fields, orchards, or gardens.
Animal Care: Children played a crucial role in caring for livestock. They would oversee feeding, watering, moving animals to different grazing areas, and general health monitoring.
Schooling: The availability of formal education varied during colonial times, but some families ensured that their children received some level of schooling. However, due to the demanding nature of farm life, children might only attend school during certain seasons when the workload was manageable.
Leisure Activities: Despite their busy schedules, children would still find opportunities for leisure. Games like tag, hide-and-seek, and playing with homemade toys helped break up the monotony of their daily tasks.
Seasonal Variation: The seasons also impacted the daily life of children. During spring and summer, chores often involved planting, harvesting, and other outdoor work, while winter may have involved more indoor activities like spinning and weaving.
Value of Hard Work: Farm children were instilled with the importance of hard work and self-reliance. They understood their contributions to the family's well-being and felt a sense of accomplishment in fulfilling their responsibilities.
Growing up on a farm during colonial times was characterized by a continuous cycle of work, learning, and development. It equipped children with practical skills, a sense of community, and a strong foundation for navigating life's challenges.