Puberty

• RSE
• Special Education

Learning objective

I am learning to understand the changes that happen to the body during puberty.

Starter:
Name as many body parts as you can in 1 minute

What do you think is meant by the word puberty?

What is puberty?

Puberty is when your body goes through a series of changes to help you grow from a child to an adult. It's a little different for everyone, and what happens can vary based on your sex. Puberty can start from 8 years old, but it'll often be later. Your body will produce hormones to start puberty, and these can also affect how you're feeling.

Which of the following best represents what puberty is?

1. Changes in the body when you change from a child to an adult
2. A change in seasons from Winter to Spring
3. A change in friendships when you start a new school
4. A change in finances

What changes might happen to the male or female body during puberty?

How does the body change during puberty for females?

• Hair growth in pubic region
• Hair growth under armpits
• Gain hair on arms and legs
• Sweat glands produce more sweat
• All parts of the body grow
• Larynx (voice box) grows
• Skin becomes oilier
• Breasts grow and develop
• Start to menstruate (periods start)

 

How does the body change during puberty for males?

• Hair growth in pubic region
• Hair growth armpits/chest
• Gain hair on arms and legs
• Grow facial hair
• Sweat glands produce more sweat/oilier skin
• All parts of the body grow
• Larynx (voice box) deepens - 'Adam's apple' develops
• Become more muscular
• Penis, testes and scrotum develop

www.bbc.co.uk

Puberty for boys

There are lots of signs that a boy is growing up.

Most boys begin puberty somewhere between the ages of 9 and 14 – but it’s different for everyone.

Your body will start to change when it is ready 

and everyone grows at his own pace!

Larynx (Voice)

Your voice will gradually deepen but until this settles down you could sound croaky and produce some interesting sounds!

 This is your voice breaking!

Puberty for boys

Sweat

Hormones can make you sweaty and spotty so good personal hygiene (washing and deodorising) is very important.

Hair

Armpits, legs, arms, face, chest and the pubic region all become more hairy.

Height

Your body keeps growing until you reach a height that you will stay at. You may become more muscular too.

Penis, Scrotum and Testicles

Your penis and testicles grow.

They may sometimes feel uncomfortable and due to your body producing more hormones (testosterone is one of these), 

you might get erections when you least expect them! 

Puberty for boys

Emotion - Hormones

The extra hormones produced during puberty may also cause you to have mood swings but this will improve in time as your body grows 

and you come to understand it.

Puberty for boys

Wet Dreams

You start producing sperm which may be ejaculated 

(released from your penis) during sleep – don’t worry, 

this is perfectly normal!

Puberty for girls

Puberty for girls starts between 8 and 14. 

 It happens at different times for different girls but your body will begin to change when it is ready.

Puberty for girls

Emotion - Hormones

The hormones in your body that cause changes to occur during puberty may also affect your mood. You may have highs and lows and feel a bit more emotional 

especially near the time of your period.

Puberty for girls

Sweat Glands

Sweat glands become bigger and more active, causing you to sweat more. 

Personal hygiene (washing) is important and you may want to start using deodorant/antiperspirant when this happens.

Puberty for girls

Hair

Hair will begin to grow under your arms and in your pubic region. 

The texture of the hair on your head may also change a little 

due to hormones. 

Puberty for girls

Growing

The breasts will start to get bigger,your hips will start to get wider. Some girls grow taller than the boys. This is because boys’ puberty begins a little later than girls

but most of them will catch up.

Menstruation (Periods)

Otherwise known as ‘periods’, this monthly bleeding will start at some time during puberty and is part of your body’s monthly cycle. 

The average is to have a period every 28 days which lasts 3-4 days, but they can be anywhere between 24 and 35 days apart and last 1-7 days.  

Menstruation (periods)

You may get period pains. This can feel like a tummy ache but lower down and, like tummy ache there are different types of pain. Sometimes it is just a dull ache and sometimes it can be more painful cramps. 

Again this is different for different people. You can take paracetamol to ease the pain. 

Puberty for girls

Discharge

Discharge is a fluid produced by your vagina. 

It should be colourless or white and is your vagina’s way of keeping clean and healthy. You may notice it before you start your periods, and you may also get discharge between periods.

Which of the following changes only happens to girls during puberty?

1. Grow taller
2. Grow hair under armpits
3. Periods start
4. Grow pubic hair

Which of the following changes only happens to boys during puberty?

1. Breasts develop
2. Grow pubic hair
3. Develop an Adam's apple
4. Sweat glands produce more sweat

Which of the following happens to both boys and girls during puberty?

1. Penis, testes and scrotum develop
2. Sweat glands produce more sweat
3. Breasts grow and develop
4. Voice breaks

Where does hair grow for boys during puberty?

1. On the face
2. Pubic areas
3. On the chest
4. All of the above

Happens to girls

Happens to both

Happens to boys

Grow hair under armpit

Periods start

Pubic hair grows

Adam's apple develops

Breasts develop/grow

Grow taller

Grow facial hair

Sweat glands produce more sweat

Penis, scrotum and testes develop

Can feel emotional

wet dreams

Talk about it...

Remember…

puberty is not a secret or anything to be embarrassed about! 

Every adult or older teenager 

has already experienced it, 

so if there’s anything you 

feel worried about, talk to them...

they will understand what you are going through!

Write down any word/words associated with puberty.

Any questions about puberty?

How do you feel about going through puberty?

😒🙁😐🙂😃

Extension tasks

Complete the male and female body outline templates with the changes that occur during puberty.

Complete a Venn diagram about the changes that occur to males/females and both during puberty.