Mrs Chalmers, the class teacher, explained the significance of the visit:
“It is so important for students to see first-hand how much a child grows and develops from birth to five years old. Having Reuben in class was incredibly beneficial. Students were able to observe his language development, his ability to follow instructions, and how he plays and interacts with others.”

Reuben entered the classroom a little shy, quietly sitting on his mum’s lap and even hiding his face at first. Julia remarked, “Ohhhh, he’s so shy, bless him!” However, as the session went on and toys were brought out, Reuben began to engage more confidently. A bag filled with toy animals caught his attention, and he excitedly pulled them out one by one, sparking conversation and smiles amongst the students.

Although his mum wasn’t sure of his exact current height and weight—explaining that regular measurements usually stop after the age of two—students were able to weigh and measure Reuben using class equipment. He was more than happy to participate and even attempted to weigh a toy horse himself!

Next, Reuben demonstrated his emerging fine motor skills by holding crayons and drawing on paper. Some of the students joined him on the play mat to draw together, fostering a warm and interactive environment. When asked about his eating habits, his mum shared that he is a bit fussy. She then asked Reuben what his favourite food was, and he said “strawberries.” One student drew a strawberry, and Reuben recognised it immediately, saying, “Ohhh strawberry, yummy!” — showing his growing vocabulary and recognition skills.

Building bricks were also a big hit. Reuben showed strong fine motor skills as he built an impressively tall tower—then gleefully knocked it down and rebuilt it, clearly enjoying the applause from the class.
“He loves building,” Charlie remarked. “And he really enjoys it when we clap—he definitely loves praise!”

Reuben also loved running in circles, especially when the students laughed and cheered him on. He clearly enjoyed the attention!

Mrs Chalmers gave Reuben some simple but more complex instructions, like handing out bricks to everyone and giving his mum two specific bricks (a pink and a green one). Reuben completed these tasks with ease, impressing the class with his understanding. These activities gave the students a chance to observe his cognitive and social development in action.

Throughout the visit, Ellie asked lots of thoughtful and insightful questions, such as “What is his daily routine like?” and “How much does he sleep?” These helped the class gain a deeper understanding of life with a three-year-old and the practical aspects of child-rearing.

One of the key takeaways was the realisation that Reuben is already meeting many developmental milestones typically associated with four-year-olds. The session allowed students to reflect on how individual children progress differently and how observation plays a key role in understanding child development.

Reuben was a joy to have in the classroom. At the end of the visit, he didn’t want to leave—he was having too much fun playing and learning alongside the students. His visit was not only educational but heartwarming, and it brought the topic of early childhood development to life in a memorable and meaningful way.