The special ways ancient Egyptians educated their children

Ancient Egyptians gave special attention to educating their children.

Archeologist Ahmed Amer explained that fathers taught their children various basic educational principles. For example, farmers' sons received a formal education, teaching them how to plant seeds and harvest fruit.

Craftsmen taught their children the basics of their industry, according to Amer, while the upper class relied on specialized tutors in educating their children.

He added that middle class families went to temples to receive their education under the care of a specific teacher.

The curriculum included reading and writing, learning literary texts and stories, rewriting the texts and recording their lessons on wooden or stone tablets.

Amer pointed out that education in ancient Egypt was necessary to rise in the social ladder, and this showed in the gap between the educated and illiterate across all historical ages.

The artists and sculptors had to convert short texts on papyrus or pottery and write hieroglyphics on the walls of tombs and temples and also engrave on the statues, which required a knowledge of reading and writing.

Amer reveals that the majority of the bureaucratic class in ancient Egypt were writers who played prominent roles in government projects, as the role of writers in the ancient Egyptian society was not just limited to documenting.

He added that as far as the physical education of the child was concerned, there was an interest in spiritual and mental education as explained by the wise advice of Ani.

Ani’s school could be considered like a kindergarten, however, serious study did not always begin at this early age.

Ani learned to read and write at the hands of his parents before going to school, and parents were keen to push their children to get educated, advising them to become writers.

Ancient Egyptian students received their education when they reached the age of 13 and even 19 at the hands of tough teachers, he added.