The Babees Book

As was mentioned in an earlier post, the concept of children, as distinct from infants and adults was only a relatively recent development, at least in the West. Before the Enlightenment and certainly before the Renaissance, there were only two stages of human development; infants who were wholly dependent on adults, and adults with a child being judged to have graduated from infancy to adulthood around seven years of age. Consequently, the concept of children's books as we think of them is also a relatively recent development.

It is intriguing though, to go back to that period of time when concepts were changing. I came across The Babees Book, written sometime in the 1300s in Britain and later translated from Latin. Intended to be a useful instrument "for youre lernynge" to be used by children of the aristocracy serving as pages at court, it might conceivably be considered to be among the first children's books as it is clearly intended to be used by and for what we would now call children.

I am fascinated by the pragmatism it represents in terms of manners and the basics for interacting with the rest of the social group as well as by the longevity and similarity to other instructionals such as George Washington's The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, or even more recently such as Priscilla Napier's recollection of her childhood instructions (see post An exo-genetic path of evolution). There is a very recognizable continuity over some eight hundred years both in tone and substance. Here are some of the early lines in The Babees Book

If any speak to you at your coming, look straight at them with a steady eye, and give good ear to their words while they be speaking ; and see to it with all your might that ye jangle not, nor let your eyes wander about the house, but pay heed to what is said, with blithe visage and diligent spirit. When ye answer, ye shall be ready with what ye shall say, and speak "things fructuous," and give your reasons smoothly, in words that are gentle but compendious, for many words are right tedious to the wise man who listens ; therefore eschew them with diligence.

Take no seat, but be ready to stand until you are bidden to sit down. Keep your hands and feet at rest ; do not claw your flesh or lean against a post, in the presence of your lord, or handle anything belonging to the house.

Given the research of James Heckman highlighting the critical role of non-cognitive skills (manners, behavior, values) in terms of life and academic success, I can't help but consider just how far our educational achievements might soar were most children to enter school with some modicum of the manners and wisdom packed into these early "children's books".