1. What is PUBERTY?
Year 5 (Lesson 1)

2. What is Puberty?
I understand why I go through puberty and what happens to me during this time. I feel confident in dealing with the challenges puberty will bring and able to seek advice from others if I feel worried. 5 4 3 2
I am unsure why I go through puberty and what happens to me during this time. I do not feel confident in dealing with the challenges puberty will bring and feel embarrassed to seek advice from others if I feel worried. 1

3. What rules would make a safe environment to share?
GROUND RULES
What rules would make a safe environment to share?

4. What is puberty?
Puberty is the time when your body changes from being a child to a young adult. Your body is preparing itself to be able to reproduce (have a baby).

5. Why does it happen?
Puberty starts when extra amounts of chemicals called hormones start to be produced in the body.
The body produces the sex hormones OESTROGEN, PROGESTOGEN and TESTOSTORONE which are responsible for many different changes in the body.
The brain and pituitary gland release the sex hormones that regulate the reproductive organs.

6. Do I need to worry?
Puberty can happen any time between the ages of 9 to 16 and takes place slowly.
Your body will be changing without you even noticing it for a while. It doesn’t matter at what age you reach puberty.
Everyone’s body is different and your body will change when it’s ready. 
Ask someone you feel you can trust. This might be a member of your family, a teacher at school, the school nurse etc. It is better to speak to grown-up as sometimes friends might pretend to know but have actually only picked up little bits of information, some of which might well be wrong.
If you are worried about anything, make sure you talk to someone you can trust.
Remember it is better to find out about something or talk about a worry than to keep it to yourself.

7. Chris’s Story
Read Chris’s Story to the class and talk through the questions after.

8. Do you think Chris is a boy or a girl, or are you unsure?
Let’s Vote
No change that is happening to Chris would indicate one gender over another.
The changes happening to Chris are NORMAL and could happen to anyone.
The changes Chris is going through are all signs of puberty and will happen to different people at different times.

9. Physical Changes
Physical changes happen because the body starts to produce chemicals called sex hormones; oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Puberty happens anywhere between 8 and 18 years of age.

10. Physical Changes cont.
The female body mainly produces progesterone and oestrogen which start the changes of puberty. Usually starts between 8-13 years. The male body mainly produces testosterone which start the changes of puberty. Usually stars between years.

11. Bodies activity!
Put out signs with Boys, Girls and Both onto different walls or tables then read out a change that happens during puberty and ask the children to think about it and then move to the gender sign they think the change relates to.

12. What changes happen to boys and girls?
Physical
Grow taller
Skin becomes oily
Spots appear on skin
Hair grows on face
Hair grows under arms
Hair grows on arms and face
Hair grows on genitals (pubic hair)
Body produces sex hormones
Body shape changes & weight gain
Face shape changes
Voice becomes deeper
Body sweats more
Emotional
Start having sexual thoughts and feelings
May be physically attracted to other people
Sometimes feel lonely and confused
Mood swings (including irritability, tearfulness, overwhelming happiness and confusion)
May become argumentative and bad tempered
Want more independence
Start to think about the future
Start to think more about appearance

13. What is Puberty?
I understand why I go through puberty and what happens to me during this time. I feel confident in dealing with the challenges puberty will bring and able to seek advice from others if I feel worried. 5 4 3 2
I am unsure why I go through puberty and what happens to me during this time. I do not feel confident in dealing with the challenges puberty will bring and feel embarrassed to seek advice from others if I feel worried. 1

14. Questions for the next session?

15. I can plan for puberty
Year 5 (Lesson 3)

16. What rules would make a safe environment to share?
GROUND RULES
What rules would make a safe environment to share?

17. I can plan for puberty.
I understand why I go through puberty and what happens to me during this time. I feel confident in dealing with the challenges puberty will bring and able to seek advice from others if I feel worried. 5 4 3 2
I am unsure why I go through puberty and what happens to me during this time. I do not feel confident in dealing with the challenges puberty will bring and feel embarrassed to seek advice from others if I feel worried. 1

18. Emotional Changes
It is not just your body that changes during puberty – your mind and feelings change too. Sometimes: - You may feel lonely and confused. - You may have mood swings (including irritability, tearfulness, overwhelming happiness and confusion). - You may want more independence. - You may also become argumentative and bad tempered.

19. What causes conflict with parents & Carers?
Read Chris’s Story to the class and talk through the questions after.

20. Any of these come up? Clothes
Homework
Clothes
Games consoles (i.e. Wii, X-Box, Playstation)
Internet usage
Music choices and volume
Friends
Bedroom
Choice of leisure activities

21. How can we make parents & Carers happy?
Conflict Resolution Mind Map
Read Chris’s Story to the class and talk through the questions after.

22. How to keep parents happy
Keep them involved, tell them how you are feeling about things.
Ask their advice, listen and if you disagree tell them why.
Accept that they have the right to lay down some rules, be willing to meet them halfway.
Try not to lose your temper, if you show them you can accept when they say no, may be they will be willing to say yes in the future.
When going out, tell them where and with who, agree a time when you will return and ALWAYS let them know if you are going to be late.
Help more around the house, without waiting to be asked!

23. What causes conflict with Friends?
Read Chris’s Story to the class and talk through the questions after.

24. What causes conflict with friends?
Other friendships, new friends.
Misunderstandings, arguments.
Girlfriends or boyfriends.
Choice of things to do together.
The way they talk to you, making you feel bad about yourself.
They do not listen to you, they only talk about themselves.
Jealousy.

25. Add to you conflict resolution mind map!
Read Chris’s Story to the class and talk through the questions after.

26. Give and take with friends
Try to not demand too much support and attention without giving some in return, they will feel resentful and used.
Show mutual respect.
Be honest with them.
If you let a friend tell you how to behave and what to do, then you are not being fair to yourself or to them.

27. Managing our Hygiene during as we grow up!
Read Chris’s Story to the class and talk through the questions after.

28. Personal Hygiene What do we do?
List all the activities you see? Why are the important? 28

29. Sweat Sweat is your body’s natural way of helping you to cool down.
Sweat can also some times become smelly when the chemicals it contains mixes with bacteria that live naturally on your skin.
Deodorants work by killing the bacteria on your skin, and they also work as an anti- perspirant by reducing the amount of sweat. If you wish to use deodorant have a discussion with your parents and carers. 29

30. Personal Hygiene Plan Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun 30 Brush teeth
Am & pm
Shower/bath
Brush hair Am
Deodorant
Wash feet Pm
Wash face
Am & Pm
Cut nails
Wash hands
After toilet before a meal
Change underwear
Change uniform 30

31. I can plan for puberty.
I understand why I go through puberty and what happens to me during this time. I feel confident in dealing with the challenges puberty will bring and able to seek advice from others if I feel worried. 5 4 3 2
I am unsure why I go through puberty and what happens to me during this time. I do not feel confident in dealing with the challenges puberty will bring and feel embarrassed to seek advice from others if I feel worried. 1

32. Any Questions?

33. Lesson 2: What to expect for BOYS

34. What rules would make a safe environment to share?
GROUND RULES
What rules would make a safe environment to share?

35. Male Reproductive System

36. Penis Anatomy 1 Urethra Penis Testicles or testes Scrotum
The tube through which urine and semen leaves the boy’s body
Penis
Tube-like organ that hangs outside the body
Come in all sizes and shapes, determined by our genes
Testicles or testes
Usually two, one hangs lower
Sometimes called balls or nuts
Where sperm are made
Scrotum
Bag of skin that holds testicles
Keeps them at right temperature to make sperm, slightly cooler than body’s temperature
Gets bigger and baggier and turns a darker colour

37. 1
Penis and Testicles
Your penis and testicles will grow bigger and longer. Sometimes one testicle grows faster than the other, and it is natural for one to hang lower than the other.
Pubic hair, will also start to grow at the base of the penis. As you get older, this hair will grow thicker and courser.
Penises come in all shapes and sizes and all are very different. Your penis also doesn’t stop growing until you reach the ages of 18 to 21.
This diagram is only a representation. All boys’ bodies look different and penises come in many different shapes and sizes.

38. Erections
An erection happens when extra blood flows to the penis. This causes the penis to harden and lengthen.
Most erections are not straight, and tend to either curve upwards or to either side.
Erections can happen at any time: - When you touch it - Have exciting/sexual thoughts - See someone attractive - Or for no reason at all!

39. 1
Ejaculation
Sometimes semen (sperm and fluids) spurts out of the penis.
This is called an ejaculation. It happens when muscles at the base of the penis start to expand and contract (tighten).
This pushes the semen through the urethra and out through the tip of the penis.
But this won’t happen every time you have an erection.

40. Wet Dreams Sometimes you can ejaculate when you are asleep.
This is called a nocturnal emission, more commonly known as a “wet dream.”
It happens without you knowing about it, and it’s not necessarily because you are dreaming about sex.
You may notice that your pyjamas or sheets feel wet or sticky when you wake up.
Most males experience wet dreams between the ages of 12 to 18.
IT IS NORMAL!
You will experience wet dreams less frequently as you grow older, you will have more control over your body.

41. What about the GIRLS?

42. The Female Reproductive System

43. What are Periods?
Periods (menstruation) happen due to the hormones changing in your body.
Even before birth, a girl has 1-2 million tiny eggs (Ovum) in her ovaries. When puberty is reached usually an egg is released each month from her ovaries.
The egg moves from the ovary and along the fallopian tube and down into the (womb) uterus.
If the egg is fertilised by sperm then a pregnancy will occur. If the egg is not fertilised then the lining of the womb and the egg leave the body through the vagina; this is called a period.

44. The Menstrual Cycle
There are four phases in the menstrual cycle, each controlled by rising and falling levels of hormones. The cycle can vary in length for each woman.
Although the cycle length is counted from the first day of menstruation, it is easier to explain if we start with the pre-ovulatory phase, before the egg is released.
Stages:
1.) Pre-Ovulatory- ovary gets ready to release an egg
2.) Ovulation- egg released and uterus lining starts to thicken
3.) Premenstrual- egg travels along fallopian tube to the uterus;
uterus lining gets thicker
4.) Menstrual- lining sheds through the vagina (This is your period.)
*Go to for a classroom demonstration of the menstruation cycle.
The menstrual cycle is usually 28 days. However it can vary from between days. 44

45. The Period Bleeding can last between 3 and 8 days.
The average blood loss is only around 80ml (roughly 3 tablespoons).
Periods happen once a month but a girls body takes time do get into a routine so for the first year or so the time between each period may vary.

46. Any Questions?

47. Lesson 2:What to expect for GIRLS

48. What rules would make a safe environment to share?
GROUND RULES
What rules would make a safe environment to share?

49. The Female Reproductive System

51. Periods (menstruation) happen due to the hormones
What are Periods?
Periods (menstruation) happen due to the hormones
changing in your body.
Even before birth, a girl has 1-2 million tiny eggs (Ovum) in
her ovaries. When puberty is reached an egg is released
each month from her ovaries.
The egg moves from the ovary and
along the fallopian tube and down
into the (womb) uterus.
If the egg is not fertilised by a sperm
then the lining
of the uterus and the egg leave your
body through your vagina;
this is your period.

52. The Menstrual Cycle
There are four phases in the menstrual cycle, each controlled by rising and falling levels of hormones. The cycle can vary in length for each woman.
Although the cycle length is counted from the first day of menstruation, it is easier to explain if we start with the pre-ovulatory phase, before the egg is released.
Stages:
1.) Pre-Ovulatory- ovary gets ready to release an egg
2.) Ovulation- egg released and uterus lining starts to thicken
3.) Premenstrual- egg travels along fallopian tube to the uterus;
uterus lining gets thicker
4.) Menstrual- lining sheds through the vagina (This is your period.)
*Go to for a classroom demonstration of the menstruation cycle.
The menstrual cycle is usually 28 days. However it can vary from between days. 52

53. Your Period Bleeding can last between 3 and 8 days.
Blood flow may be heavier in the first few days.
The average blood loss is only around 80ml (roughly 3 tablespoons).
Periods happen once a month but your body takes time do get into a routine so for the first year or so the time between each period may vary.

54. When will my period start?
Usually between years old
About 2 years after your breasts develop
Soon after you grow pubic hair
After you start to notice vaginal discharge
REMEMBER – every girl is different!
Remember – it’s different for every girl! 54

55. What symptoms are there?
Many girls will feel PMS (premenstrual syndrome), symptoms can include:
- Tender breasts
Headaches
Mood swings
Stomach cramps
Feeling bloated
Tiredness
Spots
Food cravings
Difficulty concentrating

56. Things to try… Have a warm bath Massage your stomach
Have a nice warm drink
Use a hot water bottle or use a heat pad.
Eat a well balanced diet.
Exercise

57. Feminine Protection There are three types of protection you can use
during your period to absorb your period to stop it getting on to your clothes/underwear.
Some can also be used for vaginal discharge.
The choice is a personal choice and different for
each girl.
1. Pantiliners
2. Sanitary Towels
3. Tampons
There are 3 types of feminine protection you can use during your period.
Choice of feminine protection products is a personal decision and is different for every girl.
There are a variety of products available to accommodate the different stages of your period. These products absorb menstrual flow and some can also be used for vaginal discharge. 57

58. Pantiliners Worn outside your body, in your underwear Can be used:
- When your period is light
- As tampon backup
- In between periods to absorb discharge
- To help keep you fresh every day
Pantiliners are smaller and thinner than pads. They are good to use when your period is light or as a backup in your underwear when you wear tampons.
They can also help you stay fresh every day in between periods (if you experience discharge) or as a security measure for the days leading up to your period until you become regular. 58

59. Sanitary Towel Worn outside your body, in your underwear.
Many different absorbencies.
Wings provide extra protection.
Change frequently to keep fresh and dry (generally every 4-6 hours, more often when your period is heavy).
They will start to leak if you don’t change them!
Pads are a good product to start with when you first get your period.
Today, many pads are thin – but they are just as absorbent as thick pads.
Some pads come with wings, which wrap around the sides of your panties to help the pad stay in place and protect the sides of your underwear.
How often you change your pad depends on flow and what kind of pad you’re using. Generally you should change them every 4-6 hours, more often if your flow is heavy. They may start to leak if you wear them for too long. Make sure to bathe daily when you have your period to stay fresh and clean, and always wash your hands before and after changing your pad. 59

60. How to use a sanitary towel
1. Pull off paper strip or wrapper.
2. Attach sticky part securely to center of underwear.
3. For wings, peel off paper strips and wrap around sides of underwear. 60

61. Tampons Worn inside your body in your vagina to absorb menstrual flow.
Different range of absorbencies.
Good for swimming and gymnastics.
Should be changed regularly (every 4-8 hours, more often when your period is heavy).
Tampons are held in place by the walls of your vagina and expand as they absorb your menstrual flow.
Tampons are a good choice if you're involved in athletic activities, especially those requiring tight-fitting clothing like gymnastics or dance. Also, they are the only form of protection you can use while swimming.
Toxic Shock Syndrome is rare but serious disease associated with using tampons. If you suddenly have a high fever or feel sick during your period and are using a tampon, remove it immediately and find a trusted adult to take you to the doctor. Remember to change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours.
Make sure to read the important safety information inside each Tampon box. 61

62. Planning Mark on a calendar the date of your first period.
Count 28 days from the day of your FIRST blood show, this will give you a rough idea of when your next period will be.
Always carry some spare knickers and sanitary towels in your bag.
REMEMBER periods will not have a set pattern in the beginning, they will eventually settle into their own pattern.

63. So what about Breasts?
Your genes determine the size and shape of breasts.
The first thing you may notice is a bump behind the nipple.
Then there will be swelling underneath
The nipple area gets darker.
Breasts grow slowly and one side may be bigger for awhile.
They may feel sore at times while they are developing.
This diagram is only a representation. All girls’ bodies look different and breasts come in many different shapes and sizes.

64. Activity The hardest thing about growing up is… & The thing I am looking forward to about growing up is…
Put up two pieces of flip chart paper – one labelled The hardest thing about growing up is…. and The thing I am looking forward to about growing up is… then give each child a post-it note book and ask then to write one thing for each piece of flip chart paper and ask them to put it up. Talk through the answers given.

65. What about the BOYS?

66. Male Reproductive System

67. The reason boys have a reproductive system is
because it provides the sperm needed to
fertilize a female’s egg, which can then
develop into a baby.
During puberty the levels of the hormone
testosterone in your body begin to rise. This
causes the penis and testicles to get bigger
and the testicles to produce sperm.
The testicles cannot make sperm before puberty.
Sperm look like tadpoles, with what appear to be
a head and a tail.

68. Any Questions