How did the lives of colonial children affect children today? Most modern schools use a fall to spring school calendar because colonial children had to farm during the summer months. Because young girls learned to cook and young boys learned to hunt, children today are more interested in pursuing those activities. Colonial children, especially boys, were responsible for learning trades. This resulted in the development of trade schools in America. Colonial children worked in the field and home at a very young age. Parents in later years decided school would be a better option for young children.