Puberty: The Wonder Years

1. Puberty: The Wonder Years Wendy L Sellers RN

2. To make it easier for discussions in the classroom, it is important to follow some rules: • Treat the subject seriously. • Use humor appropriately. • Use the correct terms for body parts & functions. • Respect other people & their ideas. • No gossiping. • Avoid personal questions & stories. • Ask questions; questions are good. • There are two situations when he/she will have to talk about what is said in order to get help. 1. If someone tells about something that could hurt him or her. 2. If someone tells about something that could hurt someone else. It is illegal for a teacher to keep these types of situations a secret. I will talk to someone whose job it is to help in these types if situations.

3. You, Your Body and Puberty Video

5. Females • Have three openings for excreting waste and for reproduction. • The front opening between the legs is the urethra, where urine is exits. • The middle opening is the vagina, where menstrual flow or a baby exits. • The back opening is the anus, where feces exits.

6. Menstruation • Is one of the normal changes that takes place in girls as they go through puberty. • It is a clear sign that a girl is growing into a woman. Once a girl begins menstruating, she knows that her body is prepared to have a baby at some time in the future if she decides to have children. • It is important to wait until she is an adult, has accomplished her goals for her education, and is ready to accept the life-long responsibility for raising a child. • It is important for boys to wait to be a parent for the same reasons.

8. Ovulation and Menstruation • Color a red flow exiting the vagina. • Color a pink thin lining in the uterus. • Make a blue dot in one of the ovaries, then in just inside the Fallopian tube. • Make a series of blue dots traveling down the Fallopian tube, through the uterus and out the vagina. • Color the pink lining of the uterus to make it thicker. • Color a red flow exiting the vagina.

9. Things you should know • The amount of blood loss during each period is only 2-6 ounces. • Menstruation does not hurt. • During menstruation, a girl can do any activities she normally does. • When discussing menstruation girls and boys should display maturity and sensitivity.

10. More things girls should know • Exercising or swimming during menstruation is fine. • The decision about whether to use a sanitary napkins or tampons or both is up to each person & your mom. • Sanitary napkins and tampons should be changed at least every 4 hours or every time you go to the bathroom. • Teachers, parents and other adults are ready to help with questions and problems.

11. Puberty Pointers for Girls • Care for skin. • Keep skin clean. • Drink plenty of water. • Ask parents about the use of acne medications. • Keep hair clean and off the forehead. • Change and wash the pillowcase regularly. Reduce body and foot odor. • Bathe or shower daily. • Use underarm deodorant & antiperspirant daily. • Change clothes daily. • Understand that people of various cultures have differing practices and opinions regarding body odors.

12. Puberty Pointers for Girls Keep hair healthy. • Shampoo frequently enough to keep it from being oily. • Brush and/or comb hair daily. • Know how to • handle cramps. • Not everyone has them. • Exercise can help. • Warm bath or heating pad. • Medication can relieve cramps.

13. Puberty pointers for girls Be prepared for menstruation. • Keep track of your periods on a calendar. • Carry a pad in purse or backpack a couple days before you expect your period. • Carry change in case you need to buy sanitary products. • Change pads every few hours as needed. • Do NOT flush pads throw in waste basket. • Shower or bathe daily.

14. Puberty Pointers for Girls Recognize normal vaginal secretions. • A clear odorless discharge is normal at times during the month. • Do not douche or put deodorant in the vagina. The vagina is self cleaning. • Avoid vaginal infections. • Any discharge that is colored, strong odor, or itches call a doctor. • Always wipe from front to the back. • Wash your hands before and after changing your pad. • Wear cotton underwear. • Bubble bath is irritating for some girls and should be avoided.

15. Puberty Pointers for Girls Anticipate crushes. • It is normal for boys & girls to have crushes on people they find attractive. • When this happens, you might want to be near them, feel self-conscious & embarrassed. • Most people have many crushes before they meet someone they fall in love with. • Sometimes people feel admiration for someone older, like a teacher. This is normal you are not required to act on feelings.

16. Puberty Pointers for Girls Understand curiosity. • During puberty, curiosity about the other sex increases. • Remember: no one has the right to touch another person without his/her permission. • Each person must keep his/her hands off others as a sign of respect for the other person. • If anyone touches you in an inappropriate way, tell someone, so help can be obtained.

17. Puberty Pointers for Girls Form Healthy Relationships. • With people of both genders so you can know people as individuals. • With people of all ages so you can learn how to relate to a variety of people. • With people of different races, cultures, abilities, & interests. You will learn about yourself and about others.

18. Talking with parents or other caring adults • Your parents once were your age • They love you • Might be too embarrassed • Ways that might make it easier to talk

19. Ways to Talk to Parents • Convenient time • Get comfortable talking • Get to know your parents • Talk about what you have done together • Ask what it was like when they were growing up.

20. Power point Video Transparencies Female torso Color pencils (students) red, pink, blue Student copies of: Let’s Talk: What it Was Like for You Growing & Changing Female Reproductive system Ovulation & Menstruation Puberty Pointers for Girls 5th Grade Lesson Girls Teaching Materials