Puberty: Body changes & differences Part 1 PSHE: Personal Wellbeing © Changing Faces 2009 Registered Charity No Charity registered in Scotland SC039725

What is puberty? What is puberty? What changes can we expect? What changes can we expect? A look at the differences between girls and boys and amongst each other A look at the differences between girls and boys and amongst each other What this lesson will cover…

What is puberty? Puberty is the time in life when you begin to become an adult. This means a lot of changing and growing – both inside and out. Puberty is the time in life when you begin to become an adult. This means a lot of changing and growing – both inside and out. adolescence. Some of the changes that happen in puberty are also known as adolescence. Puberty starts because of sex hormones (chemicals in our bodies that send messages about our development). Puberty starts because of sex hormones (chemicals in our bodies that send messages about our development).

Changes in boys Penis & testes size ( or willy & balls) Penis & testes size ( or willy & balls) Body & facial hair Body & facial hair Pubic hair (the hair around our sex organs) Pubic hair (the hair around our sex organs) Body shape Body shape Voice change (or voice breaking) Voice change (or voice breaking) Body odor (our smell) & acne (spots) Body odor (our smell) & acne (spots)

Changes in girls Breast development Breast development Body hair (e.g. on our legs, arms, underarms) & pubic hair (the hair around our sex organs) Body hair (e.g. on our legs, arms, underarms) & pubic hair (the hair around our sex organs) Menstruation (a monthly bleed or period) Menstruation (a monthly bleed or period) Body shape Body shape Body odor (our smell) & acne (spots) Body odor (our smell) & acne (spots)

Differences amongst boys Penis & testes: Penis & testes: –All look different and vary in size and shape Body & facial hair: Body & facial hair: –Some men have lots of facial hair, while others have very little –Not all men develop chest hair Pubic hair: Pubic hair: –Like the hair on our head, pubic hair varies in colour and thickness Body shape & muscle: Body shape & muscle: –Growth spurts happen to different boys at different times and in different ways; people are all different shapes and sizes –One side of the body might develop faster than the other Voice change: Voice change: –Happens to different boys at different times and in different ways; everybody sounds different. Body odour & acne: Body odour & acne: –Both result from an increase in hormone levels and affect everyone differently.

Differences amongst girls Breast development: Breast development: –Breasts are all different shapes and sizes Body hair & pubic hair: Body hair & pubic hair: –As with boys the colour and thickness of body hair and pubic hair varies between girls Menstruation (a monthly bleed or ‘period’): Menstruation (a monthly bleed or ‘period’): –Girls can start their period within a big range of ages; it could be at age 8, or it could be at 16 –No two girls’ periods are exactly alike, some last 2 days, others a week Body shape: Body shape: –Hip size varies between girls, as does overall size and shape Body odor & acne: Body odor & acne: –Just like boys, odor and acne result from an increase in hormone levels and affect everyone differently

Quiz revisited 1. Puberty is when a child’s body changes into an adult body - TRUE 2. Girls mature quicker than boys - FALSE 3. Puberty can change how we look, sound, feel and even smell - TRUE 4. Puberty starts at the same time for everyone - FALSE 5. All boys develop chest hair - FALSE 6. In puberty one side of our body can develop faster than the other- TRUE 7. In puberty both girls and boys develop hair on their sex organs - TRUE 8. Adolescents are people who are moody and have spots - FALSE 9. All girls develop big breasts during puberty - FALSE 10. Everybody goes through puberty - TRUE

Where to go for more info on puberty? Friends: They’re going through the same thing too, so don’t be embarrassed to talk things through with each other Friends: They’re going through the same thing too, so don’t be embarrassed to talk things through with each other Parents: They went through it too, so they do understand Parents: They went through it too, so they do understand Teachers, school counsellors or other adults in school: They are always around to talk to and discuss individual worries Teachers, school counsellors or other adults in school: They are always around to talk to and discuss individual worries Internet: there are lots of useful websites to help answer your questions Internet: there are lots of useful websites to help answer your questions