The first of a three-volume work on children in the Qin and Han dynasties, this book presents a portrait of children's early lives during this period, examining their birth, health, play, and education.

The study takes three innovative approaches: pioneering a child-centred perspective that challenges traditional adult-centred historical narratives, combining classical texts with archaeological evidence, and employing a comprehensive interdisciplinary methodology. In this volume, the author explores children's birthrights and early life circumstances, examining the health and survival conditions of infants and young children and the medical care available to them. The book also looks at children's leisure activities, highlighting the popular games and toys of the period. Finally, it examines early childhood education, including primary school methods, teaching materials and the role of the family in child-rearing. Together, these chapters provide a detailed window into the early years of childhood during the Qin and Han dynasties.

This important work will be an invaluable resource for scholars and students of Qin and Han history, Chinese cultural history, social history and childhood studies.