Children were visible members of village life. Their world extended beyond their parents to siblings, extended family, neighbors, other children, work spaces, fields, streets, and religious gatherings.
Ancient childhood differed from modern Western childhood. Children gradually took on useful household tasks and learned skills, customs, beliefs, and expected behavior through participation in family and community life.
Depending upon age and household circumstances, children could help fetch water, tend animals, carry objects, assist with food preparation, learn a family occupation, play with other children, and participate in religious life.
Objects associated with children are difficult to identify consistently, but houses, toys, small objects, burials, and household material culture contribute to the study of childhood.
Jewish and Greco-Roman sources discuss birth, upbringing, education, discipline, work, family obligations, and stages of childhood.
Scripture places responsibility upon families to teach children God's commandments and remember His works across generations.
Children appear repeatedly around Jesus. He welcomes and blesses them and uses a child as an example in teaching His disciples.
Children participated in household and community life rather than occupying a completely separate social world.
The exact duties and freedoms of children varied greatly by age, sex, wealth, occupation, and family circumstance.
Jesus' interactions with children occurred in communities where children were familiar participants in everyday public and household life.