Boys were mainly cared for by the mother until about five years of age. Of course, the father had the primary responsibility of teaching the child the Scriptures from its infancy, and the mother assisted. (De 6:7; Pr 1:8; Eph 6:4; 2Ti 3:15) As children grew older they were given practical training by the father in agriculture, raising livestock, or a trade such as carpentry. Both Joseph and David were young shepherd lads.​—Ge 37:2; 1Sa 16:11.

Girls were under the immediate care of the mother, subject, of course, to the father’s jurisdiction. While at home they were taught the domestic arts that would be of value in adult life. Rachel was a shepherdess. (Ge 29:6-9) Young women worked in the fields during the grain harvest (Ru 2:5-9), and the Shulammite girl says that her brothers made her keeper of the vineyards.​—Ca 1:6.

The parents were the ones responsible for the education and training of their children, they themselves being the instructors and guides, both by word and by example. The educational program was as follows: (1) Fear of Jehovah was taught. (Ps 34:11; Pr 9:10) (2) The child was admonished to honor his father and mother. (Ex 20:12; Le 19:3; De 27:16) (3) Discipline or instruction in the Law, its commandments and teachings, and education in the activities and revealed truths of Jehovah were diligently inculcated in the impressionable minds of the young offspring. (De 4:5, 9; 6:7-21; Ps 78:5) (4) Respect for older persons was stressed. (Le 19:32) (5) The importance of obedience was indelibly stamped on the youngster’s mind. (Pr 4:1; 19:20; 23:22-25) (6) Stress was put on practical training for adult living, such as teaching girls to do things around the home, or teaching boys the trade of the father or some other trade. (7) Education in reading and writing was given.

After the Babylonian exile, synagogues existed in most cities, and in later times boys were instructed by teachers there. Additionally, religious instruction was given as the parents took their children with them when going to the assemblies that were held for the purpose of worshiping and praising Jehovah. (De 31:12, 13; Ne 12:43) Jesus’ parents had taken him up to Jerusalem for the Passover. When on the return trip, they missed him and found him in the temple, “sitting in the midst of the teachers and listening to them and questioning them.”​—Lu 2:41-50; see EDUCATION.