Children on the Goldfields
For children living in the goldfields between 1851 and early in the twentieth century, life could seem like a great adventure one day, and very difficult and harsh the next.
Because their parents moved around a lot in search of more gold, children would have to change schools often. It usually took a while for a school was established in a new area, so often there was no schooling at all. This might sound like fun, but it made it very hard to learn and become educated. When children weren't in school, they would help their parents with household chores such as looking after younger siblings, shopping, fetching water from the creek, gathering firewood, washing clothes and cooking. Often they would also be expected to help look for gold at the diggings.
Although children on the goldfields often worked hard, they still had time for games and toys. One of the most popular games for boys was marbles. Other games that were popular among the children included Knucklebones, skipping, tug-of-war, hopscotch, dress-ups and football. If children did not have a football, they would make one by tying newspapers tightly together with string.
A typical school day in the 1850's and 1860's
Because their parents moved around a lot in search of more gold, children would have to change schools often. It usually took a while for a school was established in a new area, so often there was no schooling at all. This might sound like fun, but it made it very hard to learn and become educated. When children weren't in school, they would help their parents with household chores such as looking after younger siblings, shopping, fetching water from the creek, gathering firewood, washing clothes and cooking. Often they would also be expected to help look for gold at the diggings.
Although children on the goldfields often worked hard, they still had time for games and toys. One of the most popular games for boys was marbles. Other games that were popular among the children included Knucklebones, skipping, tug-of-war, hopscotch, dress-ups and football. If children did not have a football, they would make one by tying newspapers tightly together with string.
A typical school day in the 1850's and 1860's
- The school day began at 9 o'clock
- Children had two hours for lunch where they would normally walk home to have lunch with their family.
- The day ended at 5 o'clock.
- Children did not have to wear uniforms.
- Children had to be very clean - each school day started with an inspection of every child's hands.
- School fees had to be paid at the beginning of every week. If their parents did not or could not pay, children were sent home.
- Learning to write was very important. Paper was expensive so children first learnt to form their letters using a stick in a tray of sand.
- When children could form their letters properly they were given paper and pens. The pens had metal tips and the children dipped their pens in ink stored in china bowls on their desks.
- The most important subjects at school were reading, writing and arithmetic (Maths). Children also learnt science, geography and music. In addition to these subjects, girls would learn to sew and embroider as these were important skills to know for when they got married and had children of their own.
Activity Time
Imagine you are a child living on the goldfields and attending school in 1860. Write a recount about a typical day in your life (at least one page).
A) Go to WORDLE and type in key information that you have learnt from reading about Children on the Goldfields. Create and print out your WORDLE and glue it into your History book.
B) Prepare a 1 minute talk about what you now know about children on the goldfields. Record your talk onto the computer, take a photograph of yourself and upload it, and then use Blabberize to bring your talk to life.
A) Go to WORDLE and type in key information that you have learnt from reading about Children on the Goldfields. Create and print out your WORDLE and glue it into your History book.
B) Prepare a 1 minute talk about what you now know about children on the goldfields. Record your talk onto the computer, take a photograph of yourself and upload it, and then use Blabberize to bring your talk to life.