Philippe Aries influential historian of childhood in post war period~ found concept of childhood did not exist in medieval period
Claimed children were not viewed as having any value until they were about 7 years old ~ he used an analysis of art work and paintings to come to this conclusion as children were not depicted as children ~ he looked at children throughout history and emphasised childhood is a social and historical construction which alters over time and place

Bill Corsaro
His ethnographic work on children's peer cultures and educational systems in pre-school emphasised social participation and sharing are important part of children's peer culture ~ children collaborate on playing pretend activities they they can relate to ~ such as family, job roles, basic routines events including fantasy play taken from media TV etc.

Hugh Cunningham
states contp anxieties are not new and notes patterns of change in experiences of childhood across Europe and North America are similar & previous concerns over crisis can be found in the past ~ he argues 20th century saw rapid changes for how children were seen & treated not because they were more loved but because state was committed to child & adults equally & that children had a right to grow & have a life ~ childhood was seen as special state children were seen as asset ~ childhood became area that needed intervention where parents were given advise on hygiene & care