Maturation Program Outline
Welcome & Introduction
Instructor – Carol Funyak, Health Education Teacher
email – funycaro@shenet.org
ph# @ Acadia – 881-0450 ext. 54943
Maturation Program is presented to ALL 5th graders.
Each presentation is approximately 1 hour long
One for boys and one for girls
Overview of Maturation Lesson
Introduction of Mrs. Funyak , Health teacher from Middle School
Spread a Smile Activity
Respect & Sensitivity for Peers Growth Changes
Time & Place for Discussing Puberty
What is Health?
Physical – body
Mental-emotional – mind, feelings
Social – relationships with others
Health-Enhancing Skills like communication, decision making, planning and goal
setting, stress management, advocacy, and self-management are all important
skills for growing into adults.
What is Maturation?
The process of growing and changing from boys and girls into adults. This process
is also often referred to as adolescence or puberty. Puberty meaning first becoming able
to produce offspring.
Why puberty happens?
Nature’s way of preparing the body for adulthood.
The changes will allow them to be parents one day.
When does puberty happen?
Everyone goes through it at their own unique time. Some girls may start
the process as young as 8 years old and boys 10 yrs. old. Some may not
start until they are 15 or 16 but everyone should complete the physical
changes by 18-20 years of age. There is no switch to turn it on or off.
It’s a natural process that happens on its own.
- Over -
Overall Growth/Changes Activity
Each child will receive a colored card with a picture representing one aspect of
growth/change.
Then the children group together according to the 6 colors of the cards and
attempt to identify the overall aspect of growth/change.
The 6 areas are: exercise, nutrition, hygiene, common changes, coping with
change, and things to look forward to.
Each child will share what is on his/her card and we will
discuss them as needed.
Video on Physical Changes
It’s important to get factual information from reliable sources.
We don’t want anyone to be scared, nervous or misinformed.
This is an exciting process and they are not alone. All the grown-ups they know have
been through it and are here to help.
It’s okay to giggle during the movie, but please be respectful of everyone watching
and try to keep it quiet so we can all hear.
There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Specific Message to Boys – I tell them the words in the video are scientifically and
medically accurate and the video will mention and show a drawing of the male reproductive
organs including a penis. I let them know that I am health teacher and I have a husband, 2
sons, 2 brothers and 6 nephews, so they need not worry about watching this with me. The
dvd also mentions nocturnal emission. Nocturnal means night and emission means release of
fluid, so the term means release of fluid from the penis in the night. This is also called a
wet dream. Then we watch the dvd and learn more about it.
Specific Message to Girls – I tell them that the words in the video are scientifically and
medically accurate and the video will explain the female reproductive organs. The video also
does a very nice job of explaining menstruation or a girl’s period. I share a story about my
niece getting her period for the first time at my house. And then we watch the dvd and
learn more about it.
Question and Answer Session
Responsible Choices
I end by saying, You are in charge of your own body, your own health.
Most important thing is to make good decisions with the help of your
parents/guardians and teachers. They are all here to support you!
Congratulations on Beginning your Journey to Adulthood!