Here are some specific reasons why the Puritans emphasized literacy for their children:
* Religious Devotion: They believed that reading the Bible was the key to understanding God's will and achieving spiritual salvation.
* Moral Education: The Bible provided a framework for moral behavior, which the Puritans wanted their children to internalize.
* Individual Interpretation: They believed that each individual should be able to read the Bible and interpret its teachings for themselves, rather than relying on the interpretations of others.
* Social Stability: Literacy helped promote a shared understanding of religious principles and a sense of community among the Puritan population.
While the Puritans were not the first to value literacy, their strong emphasis on reading the Bible had a lasting impact on American education.