1. Puberty Girl
Your Changing Body

2. Growing Learning Changing Discovering
Say: “Puberty is the time that girl’s bodies go through the physical changes that bring them into adulthood. This includes changes that allow them to carry and give birth to a child. “
Discuss:
Puberty as a unique experience.
Social and emotional changes of puberty.
Finding a trusted adult to discuss the changes of puberty with.
Brainstorm: Trusted adults to go to with questions about puberty.
Growing

3. Changes of Puberty Social Emotional New friends and interests.
More responsibility in school and at home.
Ability to do more for yourself.
“Standing in their shoes” - seeing things from someone else’s point of view.
Friendships become more important.
Mood swings are common.
Feelings are more intense.
Romantic attraction to other people of the opposite or of the same sex.
Brainstorm social and emotional changes of puberty.
Emphasize increased responsibility for self and others and the importance of healthy relationships and communication.

4. The Tanner Scale
Explain: The Tanner Scale shows the physical growth and development of a female.
1.) Increased height
2.) Breast development – for nurturing a baby
3.) Enlargement of vulva (labia and clitoris)
4.) Hair growth in the pubic area
5.) Widening of hips and fat deposits - creating space to carry and birth a baby
© Human Relations Media

5. Female Anatomy Labia Minora Urethra
Explain: Women and girls have private parts (genitalia) that is unique to them as females.
Emphasize: This is a private area that no one should ever touch without your permission.
Define:
Labia – A protective fold of skin on the outside of the vulva
Clitoris – A small, sensitive area of the female anatomy
Vaginal Opening – An opening to the vagina (the inside of the female anatomy) where menstrual blood comes out
Anus – Part of the digestive system where feces (poop) comes out
Opening to the urethra – Usually located just below the clitoris. This is where urine (pee) comes out
Majora
© Human Relations Media

6. About once a month a woman or girl gets her menstrual “period”.
Blood and other vaginal fluids will dribble out through her vaginal opening for 3-8 days
This is a sign that a girl or woman is able to conceive a child.
Sometimes a girl or woman will get cramps before or during her period.
Use a pad or tampon to catch blood during your period.
Use the Menstruation fact sheet for teachers from Human Relations Media to provide additional information.
Emphasize: The ability to conceive a child does NOT make a girl ready to become a parent and it is possible to become pregnant BEFORE beginning a menstrual period.

7. How to Use a pad
1.) Unwrap the pad. 2.) Pull off the paper strip that covers the sticky part of the pad. 3.) Attach the sticky part of the pad to the center of your underwear. Some pads have “wings” that wrap around the bottom of your underwear. 4.) Used pads should be wrapped in toilet paper and thrown in the trash – NEVER in the toilet.
Demonstrate how to use a pad using a sample from the school office or health center.

8. When to use a tampon
Many girls and women choose to use them when they are playing sports or running.
Always use a tampon if you go swimming while you have your period.
ALWAYS take out the old tampon before putting in a new one.
NEVER leave a tampon in for more than 6 hours.
Demonstrate how to put in a tampon using a sample from the school office or health center. Use your hand or fist as the opening to the vagina.
Use the “How to Use Your First Tampon” teacher resource for additional details.
Review: Toxic Shock Syndrome outlined on “A Guide to Using Your First Tampon”
Fast Fact: A tampon will not “cause you to loose your virginity”. No further details are required at this learning level.

9. Hygiene During your period: Change your pad or tampon every 4-6 hours.
ALWAYS remove the old tampon before inserting a new one.
Choose a smaller pad or tampon for times when blood flood is light.
Choose a larger pad or tampon for time when blood flow is heavy or overnight.
Wrap used pads and tampons in toilet paper and throw in the trash, NOT the toilet.
Shower daily and use gentle soap and water on your genital area.

10. Getting Your Period at School
Explain:
Don’t panic. It happens to everyone.
Rolled up toilet paper in your underwear will work until you can get a pad or tampon.
Raise your hand and ask to speak to the teacher privately.
Keep supplies in your backpack.
Or got to the office or health center to get supplies.
Brainstorm ways the students would be comfortable telling a teacher (including a male teacher) that they needed to get sanitary products.
Help!

11. Breasts and Bras
Breast development is one of the first signs of puberty.
If you can see your breast buds under a light shirt or are uncomfortable playing sports, it is a good time to start wearing a bra.
Ask mom, big sister, or grandma for help!
Growing breasts may be sensitive or itchy, but this will go away.

12. Boys and Puberty Boys are going through changes too!
Explain: The Tanner Scale shows the physical growth and development of a male.
1.) Increased height
2.) Widening of the shoulders
3.) Enlargement of the penis and scrotum
4.) Hair growth in the pubic area
5.) Thickening and darkening of facial and body hair
Boys are going through changes too!

13. Urethra
Anus
Explain: Men and boys have private parts (genitalia) that is unique to them as males.
Define:
Scrotum: The loose bag of skin behind the penis that holds the testicles.
Penis: The male organ that hangs between the man or boys legs. The penis is made of spongy tissues and lots of blood vessels that fill with blood when the male gets an erection. Urine and semen pass through the penis out of the opening of the urethra.
Shaft : Part of the penis
Glans: The sensitive tip of the penis

14. Challenges for Boys Vocal cords thicken and voice cracks
Hair growth on face and pubic area
More frequent erections
Nocturnal Emissions (“Wet Dreams”)
Define:
Erection – When the vessels of the penis fill up with blood making it grow larger and harder. All men and boys get erections. Even babies in their mother’s womb get erections! Erections happen in the morning when a boy wakes up, when he is thinking of something in particular, and often for no reason at all.
Ejaculation - When semen leaves the body through the opening of the urethra.
Semen - A white or clear sticky fluid that is normally comes out of the penis during ejaculation.
Nocturnal emission – When a boy ejaculates while he is sleeping.

15. We are all “SUPER” Different
Explain: Puberty is different for everyone, including girls. Some will develop faster and some will start puberty later. This is normal.
Discuss: What are some ways girls can support each other during puberty?
Response:
Don’t tease
Treat everyone with respect
Communicate
Support each other
Discuss: Who are some trusted adults you can talk to when you have questions about puberty?

16. True or False?
Breast development is one of the first signs of puberty for girls.
Explain: Students should put a thumbs up for TRUE, thumbs down for FALSE, and a thumb to the side for I DON’T KNOW.
Hit space bar for correct answer
TRUE!

17. True or False?
Usually both of a girl’s breasts are exactly the same size.
FALSE!
Explain: A girl’s breasts are rarely exactly the same size. Sometimes the difference is not even noticeable. Other times one breast may grow more than the other to start with, and then even out later on.

18. True or False?
It is normal for a girl’s developing breasts to feel a little sore or tender.
TRUE!

19. Puberty begins at the same age for all girls.
True or False?
Puberty begins at the same age for all girls.
FALSE!
Explain: Puberty takes about 5 years to complete. Girls may start puberty as young as 8 or 9. Other girls may not begin puberty until 14 or 15.

20. Most girls and women get their menstrual periods about once a year.
True or False?
Most girls and women get their menstrual periods about once a year.
FALSE!
Explain: Most girls and women get their menstrual periods about once a month.

21. It’s a good idea to exercise during your menstrual period.
True or False?
It’s a good idea to exercise during your menstrual period.
TRUE!
Explain: Activity can boost your energy and help relieve cramps.