Growing Up: Changing Bodies Aim: I can describe the changes people’s bodies go through during puberty and how we can look after our changing bodies. Success Criteria: • I can use scientific vocabulary when talking about the human body. • I can discuss changes my body will go through and I know what to expect. • I can explain how to look after my changing body. • I can explain how to protect my body and stay safe. Today we will be looking at the changes our bodies go through during puberty and how we can look after our changing bodies. You may remember completing similar tasks during Year 5, so feel free to discuss your understanding. Some Rules: This may feel a little strange, discussing ideas in a mixed class but remember this is a safe space. • Everyone’s thoughts and ideas are valid • Be kind • Only talk about or share things you are comfortable doing • All questions are worth asking You have squares to write your questions on if you do not want to ask during the discussions. These questions will be discussed as a class at the end. There may be some questions that your teachers can not answer - either because they are parent discussion questions; questions that will be covered during another session or because we just don’t know! We will be honest. Try not to feel uncomfortable using the scientific language – it is a subject that is perfectly natural and everyone goes through it! You will hear your teachers use the words ‘breasts’, ‘periods’, ‘pubic hair’, ‘penis’ and ‘vagina’ so get the giggles out now! Complete the True or False statements. We will go over the answers at the end of the session. The Big Questions What are the changes that occur in boys’ and girls’ bodies during puberty? How can we look after our changing bodies as we grow? What is puberty? Puberty is the word to describe the phase when a child’s body starts to change as they become an adult. Watch this clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1& v=Ub0c2xFOKpQ&feature=emb_logo How Bodies (and Emotions) Can Change during Puberty It helps to know about the changes your body will go through before they happen, so you know what to expect. It is important to remember that everyone goes through these changes, no matter who they are, what they are like or where they live. We are all different, but we all go through puberty! So what happens to boys? https://www.youtube.com/w atch?time_continue=126&v=2 clRlIuviyA&feature=emb_logo So what happens to girls? https://www.youtube.com/wat ch?time_continue=50&v=L9oF 0LBhlgU&feature=emb_logo So what happens to boys? Puberty usually starts between the ages of 9 and 15 in males. Let’s take a look at some changes that happen in the male body during puberty… Boys’ voices break and get deeper. Boys’ bodies start making the hormone testosterone and sperm in the testes (testicles). Facial hair begins to grow. The male body grows taller and broader, and becomes more muscular. So what happens to girls? Puberty usually starts between the ages of 8 and 13 in females. Let’s take a look at some changes that happen in the female body during puberty… The female body makes and stores eggs in ovaries. When these are not fertilised, they leave the body. This is called menstruation or ‘periods’. The female body gets curvier, as the hips get wider and breasts develop. So what is menstruation? Important facts… Only girls have periods It is OK to talk about periods with people you know and trust All girls have periods Periods are normal Bleeding during a period is normal Periods start during puberty Periods are nothing to worry about Why do girls have a period? • When girls grow up, some might choose to have a baby • Having periods makes girls’ bodies ready to do that if they choose to Babies grow inside a woman’s uterus (womb) How do periods happen? • This is a closer look at a woman’s uterus (womb) where a baby would grow if she chose to have a baby • The uterus needs to get ready to grow a baby so it gets a thick, comfy lining of blood which would help the baby How do periods happen? • The uterus does this every month in case a baby needs to grow • If the woman is not going to have a baby, each month the comfy lining of blood comes away because it is not needed How do periods happen? • As the blood lining comes away it needs to get out of the body as it is not needed anymore • The blood comes out of girls’ vaginas • This is called their PERIOD Important facts… This will happen most months It might look like lots of blood but it is nothing to worry about The bleeding will last between 37 days These things are NORMAL and nothing to worry about Your tummy might feel a bit sore Girls might feel a bit grumpy at this time So what changes happen to both boys and girls? So, male and female bodies both go through some changes that don’t happen to the other gender. However, there are some changes that both boys and girls can experience The hormones stimulate the glands in your skin, including the sweat glands under your arms. This can cause body odour. Some young people develop acne (pimples or spots), as their skin gets oilier. These might be on the face, upperback or upper-chest. Under-arm hair and pubic hair (hair around the genitals) begins to grow. How Bodies (and Emotions) Can Change during Puberty All girls and boys go through these changes as they become women and men. These changes happen at different times in different people. Some people may start puberty before or after their friends. This is completely normal and no reason to worry. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ time to start puberty! Do you have any questions? So how do we change? So what’s the difference? Body Change Voice breaks (gets deeper) Pubic hair grows (on private parts) Hips widen Shoulders get wider Breasts grow Get more muscly Periods start Emotions change Penis grows Ovaries start to make eggs for babies Testes start making sperm Get taller Boys Girls So how can I cope with the changes? Words to help: Confusing Nurse itchy heavy scary nice Mum Dad Teacher Sore Cream Bra Shave Razor Touch Private Sweaty Doctor Look at your True or False statements. Green pen any changes you want to make. So how can we look after our changing bodies? Wash well! Eat healthily! Chat to friends about the changes! Leave spots alone! Wash often! Wear comfortable underwear! Use deodorant! Be prepared! Why is it important to look after our changing bodies? Ask advice! Get plenty of sleep! Get lots of exercise! So how do I cope with all this information? We have discussed a lot of information in this lesson, some of which may be new to you. There is a lot to process and understand. It is ok if it still doesn’t make much sense at this stage. If you have any questions, please ask. If you do not want to ask out loud, write the question down to be discussed as a class, or if you would like to speak to an adult one to one then let us know. You may wish to discuss today’s lesson with your parents – they are aware that we are doing these lessons so will be expecting questions.
