Abstract

This study aims to take a historical journey through childhood development and respond to the changes that have taken place in the education of children over the centuries. What did the concept of childhood education mean in ancient times? What role did family and school play in those ancient times? Was childhood visible in past societies? What skills did Christian education seek to improve in children? What important changes do the Enlightenment ideas introduce in the conception of childhood? How and when does childhood acquire individuality within the whole society? When did the change from passive to active students in the classroom take place? What role have teachers played throughout history? These and other questions will be answered as we attempt to comprehend how we have reached the point of speaking of empowerment and autonomy in school learning today in Western Europe education.