Expectant mothers did not vary their normal routine of heavy work. Observers of the period noted this practice and attributed to it the ease with which women were able to deliver children. In the case of a difficult birth, the services of the powow’s magic were sought.[452] INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD The few observations that were recorded suggest that the Wampanoags had a high birth rate and rather high infant mortality.[453] The high number of infant deaths may have been due in part to the fact that within three days after its birth the baby was being carried about on the mother’s back in all the tasks that she went about outside.[454] Moreover, the Wampanoag style of cradle board made no provision for a device to shield the infant’s face.[455] A baby’s clothing consisted of a coating of grease and a beaver skin or other fur wrapping in which he was bound onto the cradle board. The child was tied so that his knees were drawn up against his stomach, then when the board was set down and leaned somewhere he would be in a sitting position.[456] Babies were soothed by the lullabies of their mothers.[457] It is said that they were generally very quiet infants and cried little. The Wampanoags were extremely fond of their children, giving them a great deal of indulgence and affection.[458] Infants were not weaned until they were over a year old.[459] Such child-rearing practices resulted in children that were “sawcie, bold, and undutifull”, according to English eyes.[460] EDUCATION Education was probably for the most part informal. Children learned their adult roles by watching adult activities and by being encouraged in their attempts to copy. Such practical skills for survival as swimming were taught at an early age.[461] Little boys played at shooting toy bows and arrows.[462] Girls played with miniature cooking pots, and they also participated in the work of planting and tending the fields as soon as they were old enough.[463] An education in the beliefs and values of the Wampanoag people was gained in part by listening to the stories told by parents and grandparents.[464] INITIATION The transition of young Wampanoags into adult status was marked by special observances. Boys and girls both underwent initiation ceremonies; there is almost no information of the nature of these observances for females.[465] For boys it was a lengthy process to finally achieve recognition as an adult member of the tribe. De Rasieres describes some of the aspects of Wampanoag initiation.