History of infant schools in Great Britain

Imagine a time when there weren't many schools for very young children! The very first 'infant school' opened its doors way back in 1816 in a place called New Lanark, which is in Scotland. It was like a brand new idea!

Other kind people saw this and started similar schools in different parts of Great Britain. These schools were a bit like a helping hand for parents while they worked, and a place for little ones to learn and play.

These early schools had a special plan. Teachers wanted children to learn to be good and kind, like learning your ABCs but for your heart! They also did fun exercises to keep their bodies strong.

The teachers were in charge, but they were also friendly, like a favorite grown-up at school. It was all about helping children grow up smart and well-behaved, even before they were big enough for bigger schools.

As more factories opened, parents needed a safe place for their little ones. So, infant schools became super important! In England and Wales, these schools helped kids learn as much as they could before they had to start working, sometimes even when they were still quite small.

It was like getting a head start! By 1840, even bigger schools were told to have special rooms for the youngest children.

Later on, around 1905, schools started thinking differently. Instead of just telling kids what to do, they wanted learning to be more fun and about what the children themselves liked! This was called being 'child-centred.' It was like letting kids choose their own adventure in learning.

Some of the very youngest children, who were too little for school, sometimes went to special nursery classes attached to these infant schools.