The Victorian era is a fascinating period to study for children and adults alike. The industrial revolution affected the lives of nearly everyone in Britain during the 19th century and created the basis for today's society.
Children can find out about the Victorian Britain from a range of resources, including stories, information books, television and film - and now, by using a computer to look at CD-ROMs and the World Wide Web.
The Resources section lists useful examples of books and software and the Links section points to valuable World Wide Web sites.
Starting from questions.
Below are many questions which could be used as the starting point for children's enquiries into different aspects of life in the Victorian period.
Many of the issues raised here are covered in the Hands-on section.
Society
- Why was Britain called 'The Workshop of the World" in Victorian times?
- How did the lives of rich and poor Victorians differ?
- What were working conditions like in the town and country?
- What were factory working conditions like in Victorian times?
- How did working conditions change for women and children?
Daily Life
- How did Victorians dress?
- What foods did Victorians eat?
- What games and toys did Victorian children have?
- What sort of entertainment did rich people enjoy?
- What were Victorians houses like?
- What was the role of women in Victorian society?
Education
- After 1870 all children, from 5 to 13 had to go to school. What effect did this have on their lives?
How did rich children's education differ from poor children's?
- How did Victorian schools differ from modern schools?
- What lessons did Victorian children have?
Transport
- What were canals and railways used for in Victorian Britain?
- How did the growth of the railways affect ordinary people's lives?
- Why was London's underground railway built?
- How did the bicycle develop in the 19th century?
- When were the first iron ships made?
- Who made the first motor cars?
Inventions and discoveries
Who invented:
- The Steam Engine?
- The Great Western?
- The phonograph?
- The typewriter?
- The motor car?
- The electric lightbulb?
- The telephone?
- The photographic camera?
- The telegraph?
Who:
- discovered X-Rays?
- first used radium to treat cancer?
- first used chloroform in operations?
- first used antiseptic in operations?
- How did these affect ordinary people's lives in Victorian Britain?
- What other discoveries were made in Victorian times?
