1. The Puberty Workshop Human Relations Media
Today we will be talking about a stage in life called puberty. This is the period between childhood & adulthood when important biological changes happen. Adolescence is defined as the period when social & emotional changes happen. Some of the topics we talk about may make you feel uncomfortable and you may want to laugh. This is normal, but let’s not let it get out of hand. Also some of your parents may have talked with you about this already.
I will not repeat anything that is said in this class and if you have a question raise your hand. So please do not laugh or make fun of someone if they have something to say out loud in class.

2. Puberty is a: Stage of life
Period between childhood and adulthood when important biological changes happen.
Time called adolescence when social and emotional changes happen.

3. You may want to laugh during this class because:
Topics we talk about may make you feel uncomfortable.
This is normal, but let’s not let it get out of hand.
Please do not laugh or make fun of someone if they have something to say out loud in class.
I will not repeat anything that is said in this class and if you have a question raise your hand.

4. But there are two situations that I will talk to other people about.
1. Tells me something that could hurt him or her.
2. Tells me something that could hurt someone else.
It would be illegal for me to keep this a secret.
I will talk to someone whose job it is to help these types of situations.
But there are 2 situations that I will talk to other people about.
If someone…Tells me something that could hurt him or her.
If someone…Tells me something that could hurt someone else.
It would be illegal for me to keep these a secret.
I will talk to someone whose job it is to help these types of situations.

5. We are going to watch a video that will talk about the hormones that trigger the beginning of puberty in both boys and girls.
Hormones send informational signals throughout the body.
They travel from glands to the bloodstream.
They regulate processes like growth, development, tissue function and mood.

6. Hormones come from four glands in the endocrine system.
Pituitary – controls height and weight.
Thyroid – controls metabolism and weight.
Adrenal – controls release of adrenaline.
Pancreas – regulates insulin.
Hormones – Which are chemical messengers your body produces. These messengers tell your body how to grow and keep your body working properly.
During puberty, your body also produces other hormones which cause changes in your skin, hair, & nails.
Make sure the following changes are discussed:
Body hair increases, esp. axillary & pubic hair—both genders
Facial hair grows—males
Skin thickens—both genders
Oil production increases—both genders
Sweating increases—both genders
Acne or blemishes appear—both genders
Skin darkens around genitals—both genders
Hairline recedes—males
Because of these changes, you will learn some new things about health habits & personal hygiene.
4th Grade Lesson 2 (optional lesson 1 pg 6-7)

7. Puberty begins when:
The puberty gland sends hormonal messengers to the male and female
sex organs.
This tells the ovaries to produce estrogen in the female.
And tells the testicles to produce testosterone in the male.

8. Let’s begin the video
“WHAT IS PUBERTY”

9. Let’s find out what you remembered from the video about puberty, true or false.
___ It usually takes about a year for changes of puberty to happen.
___ Boys start going through puberty at a younger age then girls.
___ Bathe daily, use deodorant and take care of your hygiene.
___ Body hair that grows during puberty should be removed.
___ Hormones cause changes to occur in both males and females.
___ Boys and girls need less sleep than they used to require.
___ During puberty, girls start to menstruate.
___ Moody behavior stops once puberty begins.
___ During puberty, boy’s bodies begin to produce sperm.
___ Boys and girls may become more interested in social
relationships, greater independence and making new friends.

10. Answers to true or false
1. False It can begin as early as 9 or younger and can last as late as False Girls start going through puberty at a younger age than boys. 3. True Please!! Bathe or shower and use deodorant more often. 4. False It is common in some cultures to remove body hair, it is not necessary to do so. 5. True Hormones cause changes to occur in both males and females. 6. False You need more sleep your going through so much growing . 7. True Girls begin to menstruate during puberty. 8. False You may experience more mood swings and intense feeling, because of the hormonal changes that are occurring. 9. True Boys bodies begin to produce sperm during puberty. 10. True You may become more interested in social relationships, greater independence and making new friends.

11. Hygiene and You Pimples and greasy hair are a result of: a. a bad diet
b. overactive oil glands in your skin
c. not enough exercise
What’s the best way to take care of your oily hair?
a. Shampoo and conditioner 3 times a day.
b. Use lots of styling products.
c. Wash hair every day or every other day with a shampoo.
What’s the best way to deal with pimples? Circle all that apply.
a. Scrub your face with soap at least 2 times a day.
b. Squeeze or pop your pimples.
c. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water.
d. Choose face products that have benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
e. Wash your face after exercising to remove sweat.

12. TRUE or False? Antiperspirant and deodorant are the same thing.
True or False? Body odor and bad breath are caused by bacteria.
6. What’s the best way to fight body odor?
a. Bathe every day, wear clean clothes and apply antiperspirant.
b. Use lots of cologne or perfume.
c. Avoid people on hot days.
7. True or False? By middle school, most kids should be shaving their facial or body hair.
Which would be a better way to shave?
a. Use a sharp razor, warm water and shaving cream or gel.
b. Use a dull razor and cold water and no soap.

13. 1.
(B) Sebaceous glands, especially on your face and scalp. They produce oil to keep your skin soft and your hair shiny and waterproof. The hormones of puberty, can make the glands produce too much oil, causing pimples (“zits”) and oily hair.
(C) You do not have to wash your hair more than once a day. If you have oily hair a special shampoo for that may help. Slick styling products can make the problem worse by adding extra oil to your hair.

14. 3. (C, D and E) Washing your face to get rid of dead skin cells, sweat and excess oil twice a day is enough. Washing or scrubbing to often can make pimples worse by irritating your skin.
Products that won’t clog your pores have ingredients in them that contain 10% benzoyl peroxide or 2% salicylic acid. A healthy diet can help your skin also. What you shouldn’t do is squeeze your zits because this can spread bacteria and cause scars and do not sleep with makeup on this can clog your pores.
FALSE. Deodorant masks body odor, but antiperspirant prevents or dries up sweat.
TRUE. Odor-causing bacteria multiply on your skin or in your mouth. So when this bacteria mixes with the oil from your sebaceous glands especially under your arms and in your genital area this can cause body odor or (BO). Bathing with soap, brushing your teeth and flossing daily will help control these odors.

15. (A) Regular bathing with soap, clean clothes and bed sheets will keep you feeling fresh. If you sweat a lot, you might want to try wearing cotton clothes, underwear and socks because cotton absorbs sweat well.
7. FALSE. Everyone develops at different times. Some middle school students May not need to shave. Even if they do have facial or body hair, there is no rule that says everyone has to remove it. If you want to shave or otherwise remove hair on your face, legs or armpits that’s fine but you do not have to if you do not want to.
8. (A) A sharp razor with shaving cream or gel prevents cuts and irritation. Warm water softens the skin. Remember to go slowly. An electric razor can also be used to shave.

16. To summarize what we just talked about.
1. Hormones cause the changes that occur during puberty.
2. Its normal to develop at different rates.
Your skin and hair change.
A balanced diet, exercise and bathing are good health and hygiene practices.
Products that will not clog your pores contain,
10% benzoyl peroxide or 2% salicylic acid

17. Talking with parents or other caring adults
1. Your parents once were your age.
2. They love you.
3. Might be too embarrassed
4. Ways that might make it easier to talk.
Your parents probably know a lot about how it feels to be a student your age, since they were one, too. They wondered about the same things that may worry you– things like acne, body odor, and friends. They asked themselves the same questions: “will people like me?” when will I start to grow” and why do my moods change so much?”
2. Your parents love you & want to help you in any way they can. They probably want to talk to you about the things that are going on in your life. Even if it feels uncomfortable at times, it is worth the effort to go to them for help and information.
3. People may giggle, laugh, get quiet, change the subject, or turn red when embarrassed. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want to talk about these things with you.
4. Let’s think of ways to make it easier to talk with a parent or other trusted adult.

18. Ways to Talk to Parents 1. Convenient time.
2. Get comfortable talking.
3. Get to know your parents.
4. Talk about what you have done together.
5. Ask what it was like when they were growing up.
Here are some ways to make it easier to talk with your parents. Some of them you have already mentioned.
Pick a convenient time to talk.
Get comfortable talking about day-to-day events. That makes it easier to talk about personal things later.
Ask your parents about feelings, ideas, & goals. Get to know them.
Talk about an activity you have done together.
Ask your parents what they remember about growing up: such as friends, growth spurts, embarrassing events, clothing styles, interests, likes & dislikes, & house rules.
Remember, its OK to feel embarrassed.
Distribute homework: Family Activity Sheet, “Together Talk: About Growing Up.” This sheet will give you ideas on opening lines to say to your parents to talk about puberty.
Opening lines:
“You will never believe what I heard today. Is it true that.”
“Some of the kids at school were talking _________”
4th grade Lesson 1 (A-1 pg 12)

19. ANY ?

20. 4th Grade Puberty Teaching Materials: Video – “WHAT IS PUBERTY”
Hand outs – True or False (1A)
Hygiene and You (6A)