What was life like for Victorian children? Did it get any better?

Look at the photograph of the mining memorial. On 4 July 1838 26 children were drowned when the Huskar Pit (mine) in South Yorkshire flooded. Ask pupils to read the list of names and write them down in order of their age - oldest to youngest. Use this list to start a discussion about being a child during Victorian times. Also point out that the “Females are deposited in the Graves at the feet of the Males”, ask what this might tell us about Victorian society? Then using the list below look at the different laws that were passed during the reign of Queen Victoria and how these affected the lives of Victorian children. Pupils could summarise their thoughts/findings in a short piece of writing.

Learning aims and outcomes

• Suggest what life was like for children living in the past
• Present information showing knowledge and an appreciation of the Victorian period
• Make comparisons between lifestyles today and in the past
• Produce a simple narrative to illustrate what they know about the work done by Victorian children