Every Friday during 5th hour, Paul Musselman’s human growth and development class treks over to the Primary Center, rotating between working with three first grade classes and the four-year-old program, allowing students the to see different kids and classrooms.

“The whole purpose is so that kids get a first-hand experience both observing and interacting with kids,” Musselman said. “The idea is that they get to see in a more practical setting the development of kids and behaviors of things that we talk about in class.”

His class starts their time with the children by joining them for lunch, spreading themselves out across the cafeteria and talking to various six and seven-year-olds who are not very good about hiding their excitement over their visitors.

“The conversations and creativity that they have and are able to express is great to see,” senior Nathan Cessna said. “It feels good when you walk in the lunchroom and a kid calls your name so you sit beside them, establishing a connection with them helps us understand ‘true’ youth development and actions because they act as they would with anyone.”

Students are able to meet all sorts of children and make connections between the behaviors of those they meet at the primary center and what they have learned in Musselman’s classroom.

“They’re so much fun to interact with and talk to, their games, and the way they talk to each other is much different than we communicate as high schoolers,” freshman Zoey LaTessa said.

Students spend their time in the classrooms with groups of children helping them with games, coloring, puzzles and other practical skills.

“Typically, we just do stations or may help with a sort of worksheet,” Cessna said. “I’ve learned that assistance and guidance is something that is definitely needed in the classroom at a younger age.”