"Between the 17th and 19th centuries autobiographers and diarists invented new ways to write about childhood and children. At the same time, pedagogical ideas about child-rearing changed. This book looks at the connection between these developments. Egodocuments can bring the past alive, and allow us to sketch six intimate portraits. The second part of the book concentrates on the changes. Childhood became more highly valued as a phase of life. Children were taken more seriously.

This is shown in chapters on child's play, punishment, wet-nursing and independence."--BOOK JACKET.