Puberty & Adolescence

Warm-up A: Do you know anything about puberty? B: “I’m not sure, but I do know___________.” OR “I think it could be ________ because I learned________” 60 seconds to think about the questions silent;y. 60 seconds to record thoughts on paper or Ipad

What is puberty????? Puberty is the time when changes occur in your body. Starts between Ages 8 and 13 in girls Ages 9 and 15 in boys. This wide range in ages may help explain why some of your friends still look like young kids whereas others look more like adults.

Am I normal? I feel kind of weird and wonder if I'm normal. My voice sounds strange. I'm tall and skinny, and my feet are big. I have zits all over my face. I can't stand the way I look. I like this girl named Mary, but I don't even think she notices me. I know she thinks I’m a nerd. Male, age 15

Am I Normal? I get so embarrassed when it's time to change in the locker room for PE because I don't look like all the other girls. My breasts are so big and my hips are wide. Most guys think I'm 18, but I'm only 13. Sometimes I like the attention, but most of the girls in my class don't like me. Female, age 13

AM I Normal? I hate it that I’m the shortest kid in my class. Even all the girls are taller than I am! At least the girls think I'm cute, but the boys make fun of me, calling me "shrimp." Am I ever going to get taller? My dad tells me he didn't have his growth spurt till he was a senior in high school! Do I have to wait that long? Male, age 13

What are some of the physical changes that will begin to occur with puberty?

Video: “We’re are Just Talking for Boys and Girls” From Discovery Education

Physical Changes: When your body is ready to begin puberty, your pituitary gland (a pea-shaped gland located at the bottom of your brain) releases special hormones. Depending on whether you're a boy or a girl, these hormones go to work on different parts of the body. Hormones are special chemicals your body makes to help it do certain things — like grow up!

Physical Changes: Hormones are chemical substances made and released in one part of the body that cause a change in another part of the body. The male hormone testosterone and the female hormones estrogen and progesterone are released at the start of puberty.

Growth and Development in boys

Growth and Development in girls

What is Adolescence?????? A stage of development between childhood and adulthood. (Between Puberty and Full Maturation) This typically takes place between the ages of 10 and 18. Some children show signs of behavioral changes as early as 10, marking the beginning of adolescence. Your personal timetable is based on environment, genetics and ethnicity. There is a wide range of “normal”.

Mental Changes: A New Way of Thinking~ As adolescence progresses, teens are able to think in a more complex way. They can foresee consequences, make more logical decisions, and view situations from other points of view.

Emotional Changes: A New Way of Feeling~ New feelings that arise during adolescence may cause teens to feel alone, insecure, and confused. The process of leaving dependence behind and forming a new identity is complex and sometimes scary. Having conflicting emotions is healthy and normal. If prolonged periods of sadness or anxiety become overwhelming, seek help from a parent, school counselor or doctor.

Social Changes: As teens grow older, their parents and others expect more of them. Relationships with friends change and become more important during adolescence. You can take more responsibility at home, in friendships, and in other parts of life by: showing concern for how people are doing listening to others encouraging others getting a job

What types of responsibilities or privileges will you have as you get older? With your small group list as many as you can. You will share some of your answers with the class.

Other changes I might experience… Preoccupation with self. Concern that all eyes are on me. Belief that nothing bad can happen to me. Self-esteem goes up and down. Desire for increased independence and responsibility. Increase in peer influence and peer pressure. (desire to fit in!!) Increased risk-taking and desire for new opportunities and experiences. Need to experiment.

More Changes I might experience… Thoughts of “Who am I?” and “Whom do I want to become?” Increased need for privacy. Continued reliance on parents. Your families may give you more freedom.

PUBERTY Reflection – answer the following questions on your own paper When I think about the changes that puberty will bring to me, I feel………….. because…….. The part of puberty that I most look forward to is…………. because………. The part of puberty that I least look forward to is……… because…………. These are the people I would talk to if I had questions about puberty…….

Find the ages and Areas of Development the following changes occur….. 1. You will need lots of rest and sleep. 2. You will you need love and respect of parents and friends, but pretend not to care. 3. You will you want to be like your friends, be normal. 4. You will strong beliefs and want to be heard. 5. You may stop hugging and kissing parents, especially in public. 6. You may sometimes behave like a child when you are under stress. 7. You are very self- centered. 8. You need rules and structure, yet you rebel against rules. 9. You are able to see both sides of an issue. 10. You may worry about your weight because looking good and popular are important to you.

Does everyone go through puberty Exit Slip! Does everyone go through puberty at the same time? How long does puberty last? How do you know when you are going through puberty?