Final answer:
Age grades in medieval African societies allowed children to climb the social hierarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
In some medieval African societies, age grades were a way for children to climb the social hierarchy. Age grades were groups of children who were born within a certain period and went through specific rites of passage and training together. By participating in these age grades, children gained skills and knowledge that helped them progress socially and gain respect within their communities.
For example, in ancient African societies like the Spartans, boys were enrolled in an educational system called the agoge. They started their training at the age of seven, and by the age of twenty, they completed their education and became fully-fledged members of society. Similarly, in African slave communities, there were opportunities for education and development for some children, including opportunities to learn to read.