1. Maturation It’s a Guy thing!
Maturation is a time when a boy changes into a young man.
This time is also called puberty, adolescence or, a term we all know, teenager.
Puberty usually starts for boys between the ages of 10 and 17.
You are going to hear the word CHANGE a lot. We are going to talk about the changes you and your body go through that are a normal part of growing up.
Provo School District 6th grade Boys Maturation Program
Approved by the Health Education Curriculum Materials Review Committee 5/2015

2. Types of Maturity Intellectual Philosophical Social Emotional Physical
You may of noticed I said changes you and your body go through. There are many ways that we mature. Some you can see as your body grows and develops and some you can’t, like they way you feel about things.
These are some of the ways you will change / mature.
Learning about the changes that take place during puberty can help you feel more prepared. You can know what to expect, what is normal, and feel a little more comfortable about asking your parents or other trusted adults any questions you might have.

3. Intellectual Maturity
School
Talents
Career
Interests
The frontal cortex of the brain is still growing. This part of the brain is important in making plans as well in helping with judgment.
In fact the brain requires more time to reach maturity…it is not fully developed until the mid twenties.
Intellectual changes include increased ability to understand and ask questions. There are changes in school abilities- studying, homework, learning and working independently.
There is typically an increase in your need for more information about our world; computer, TV news, newspaper, etc.. Learning more about things that happen around you.
Developing your talents and thinking about the future, about college and career.
Increased ability to think about your choices BEFORE you make them.
The choices and actions you take today, could have a big impact on the rest of your life!

4. Philosophical Maturity
Goals
Help you to learn and grow
Desire to improve ourselves
Values
What you believe and how you choose to live
This is a time to set your standards. Make choices about who you are and how you will act.
Try to understand what you believe in.
At times during your life, you might have a desire to improve yourself. Set goals and start taking steps to achieve these goals.
Achievement does more than make you feel good about yourself, it gives you control over you life!

5. Social Maturity Friendship Increased freedom Choices
Rules & responsibility
Respect for self, friends, parents & teachers
You want to spend more time with friends. Friends are very important, because it is our first opportunity to learn how to get along with others outside of our family.
Social Maturity / desire for more independence from parents
You start to NOTICE girls, and kind of actually think they are cute! Crushes & Attractions
Boys and girls need to learn how to get along with each other and respect each other and be friends.
Treat friends with kindness and respect. Know boundaries (keep hands & feet to yourself)
Respect for self- don’t do things that would harm your body or your mind.
Respect for others- Family, friends, teachers, and authority.
Increased freedoms EQUALS increased responsibility!
Peer Pressure - a fancy way of saying that your friends and others your own age can talk you into doing things…maybe things that are not good for you, even if “everyone else is doing it”. Don’t let peers control who you are. Decide now how you will handle situations before you are faced with making a decision.
Follow rules and learn to make good choices.
If you show responsibility with your choices you will earn more freedom.

6. GIRLS! What are the rules? What is appropriate? How do I show respect?
Growing up is a time to concentrate on your relationship with your peers…this includes girls.
Here is a tip, girls don’t think like boys do.
Learn from trusted adults how to treat others with respect, what the rules are and what is appropriate.
Control yourself. Don’t let your hormones rule. Talk quietly, use nice language and be aware of others feelings.
Don’t ever belittle or degrade, even if teasing, they will think you are serious / Laugh with, not at / Have clean fun
Mutually agreeable and age appropriate attention…know the boundaries.
Don’t ever grab, pinch, hold, squeeze or punch. Ever! This is not a way to give affection or get attention!
Be genuine, sincere and honest. Treat everyone with respect.
Be Nice!

7. What do girls really admire in boys?
Honesty
Intelligence
Confidence
Kindness and consideration
Good Looks
Good Health and strength
Nice appearance
Good hygiene
These are some of the qualities that girls look for in boys they want to be better friends with.

8. Growing up is a time to… Show good character.
Show respect for yourself and others.
Show honesty and integrity.
Be a good citizen in your school & community.
Show that you are responsible.
Be accountable for what you do and say.
Showing respect for self and others demonstrates that you are maturing.
Peer Pressure - a fancy way of saying that your friends and others your own age can talk you into doing things…maybe things that are not good for you even if “everyone else is doing it”. Don’t let peers control who you are. Decide now, how you will handle situations before you are faced with making a decision.
The choice is yours - I can choose to be me / or I can let others choose for me.
Again, follow rules and learn to make good choices. You are accountable for how you treat others and what you do and say.

9. The roller coaster ride…of a lifetime
Emotional Maturity
The roller coaster ride…of a lifetime
Feelings
Mood Swings
CONTROL is the KEY!
As the body changes, so do thoughts and feelings.
During all these changes, it is a great time learn how to speak positively about your feelings.
Show respect for others and their feelings…become a good listener to your own feelings and others feelings too.
All these changes can make you feel more sensitive…just remember your friends are feeling sensitive too.

10. Mood Swings
You might feel very happy and then suddenly, sad or even MAD!
Hormones effect our emotions!
Knowing what to expect will help you cope!
If you need help- ask for it!
How many of you have an older brother or sister?
How many of you have noticed that this particular brother or sister is confusing?
One minute you’re really happy and laughing, the next minute you may feel like crying and you don’t know why.
That’s what we like to call mood swings.
Hormones effect our emotions and can make us more irritable.
You might have a greater need for privacy.
Remember your parents understand these feelings. You are not alone and sometimes the only thing you need to feel better is to have someone listen to you.
Mood swings are normal…the key to growing up is to learn to control how you act and not allow these mood swings to control you.
The choice is yours - you can choose to be happy.

11. Physical Maturity
The pituitary gland is the internal alarm clock that signals when puberty begins.
Each one of us has our own built in alarm clock called the pituitary gland.
It is part of The Endocrine System.
The pituitary is a small gland located at the base of our brain.
It begins to send chemical messages to the other glands in our body to start producing hormones.
Hormones are the chemicals that tell the body it’s time to grow and mature.
The main hormone for boys is testosterone and is produced in the testicles.
Some of these changes you will notice, but others you will not, like the changes on the inside of your body.

12. Things you will notice…
Growth spurt begins
Muscles develop & Shoulders broaden
Perspiration increases
Oily hair & Skin
Larynx enlarges and voice deepens
Axillary, Facial, Chest & Pubic hair appears
Some breast changes may occur
No one has control over their physical growth.
Everybody goes through puberty, though every body is different
Initial spurt is at 9-10 years old
Head, brain, ears, nose, feet, and hands are usually the first to grow
Feet grow, but the brain doesn’t realize how big the feet are = CLUMSY
Second spurt at years old
Muscles and bones start rapid development
Final spurt between years old
Facial structures solidify
Sweat glands begin working over-time. You will notice oily hair, and skin (mostly face, back, and chest).
You will notice that you have an increase in perspiration, or sweating. You might even notice BO!! The dreaded body odor!
Your will notice your voice changing and getting deeper. With girls it is more gradual than for boys.
Most boys will have some soreness around their nipples during puberty. This tenderness is caused by the hormones and will go away on its own. Some will also have breast growth or thickening under the nipple which is also normal and will usually go away in a year or so.

13. Body Image During Puberty: you may notice you are…
More sensitive about how your body looks
Increase interest in grooming (this is good)
Self conscious about appearance
You will need to: Take care of yourself and respect your body
All this growing can make you feel awkward for a while.
All these changes can make you feel self-conscious. All people, boys & girls, go through these changes during puberty.
Be patient and tolerant of yourself and of other people…Remember not to tease about these changes, they could be happening to you next.
If you seem to be maturing faster or slower than your friends, it doesn’t mean your better or worse…Just Different.

14. Taking care of your body
Taking good care of your body is one of the biggest responsibilities of growing up.
When you are clean you look and feel your best!

15. NEW CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
Shower every day
Wash hair with shampoo
Use SOAP!
Wear deodorant with anti-perspirant
Wear clean clothes
Change socks every day
During puberty, hormones also cause oil and sweat glands to work overtime…this can cause body odor when sweat mixes with bacteria on your skin.
You can keep this under control by taking regular baths and showers.
Keep yourself clean…It’s no secret if you don’t take a shower.
Put deodorant under your arms only when your skin is clean. Remember these are chemicals. Keep deodorants away from younger children and check with an adult before you use them, or if you develop a rash from their use.
Always put on clean clothes because they absorb body odor as well.
Clothes protect our body from the environment and provide modesty.
Remember to put clothes you want to keep wearing in the laundry…help at home.

16. Oral Hygiene SMILE! Brush twice a day Floss once a day
Visit your dentist twice a year
Change your toothbrush regularly
Good breath is very important
Proper oral hygiene helps prevent bad breath, gum problems & tooth loss.
BACTERIA in the mouth & in foods form plaque.
PLAQUE CAUSES Cavities, gums to recede, teeth to fall out
REMEMBER…YOU ONLY NEED TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH ON THE DAYS YOU WANT TO EAT!
SMILE!

17. It also means avoiding things that are harmful to your body like smoking, alcohol and drugs.
Nutrition
Eat breakfast
Eat at least 5 fruits & vegetables each day
Drink plenty of water
Drink milk for strong bones
Don’t eat a lot of junk food or drink a lot of soda
Your body is growing so fast, it needs good healthy foods.
You are what you eat…you need to eat healthy foods if you want healthy skin, hair, muscles and bones.
Good nutrition means eating a variety of foods that will give you energy and keep you healthy.
This is not a time to diet and worry about your weight. Just don’t overdo it!
It also means avoiding things that are harmful to your body like smoking, alcohol and drugs.

18. Rest & Exercise Rest helps your body grow Rest helps your brain think
Exercise gives your body a workout
Exercise keeps your body fighting against disease
You need at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
Exercise gives your heart and lungs a healthy workout and helps prevent disease by boosting your immune system.
Exercise also increases your circulation and keeps your skin healthy.

19. Scoliosis Screening Scoliosis-side to side curvature of the spine
Screenings should be done before and during growth spurts with your annual doctor check-up
Some children can develop scoliosis during puberty because they are growing so fast during this time. This is when your spine does not stay straight.
Do a home screening to see if the spine is growing straight.
It is important to have your back screened for scoliosis at your next doctors appointment.

20. Your Feet SCRUB FEET COTTON SOCKS
VISIT WITH PARENTS OR YOUR SCHOOL NURSE ABOUT CONCERNS
FUNGICIDAL OINTMENT
Your Feet
Changing your socks daily will help prevent any problems with your feet and a condition called “Athletes Foot” which is caused when your feet / socks get wet from sweat allowing a fungus to grow on the skin.

21. Tips & Tricks for taking care of your skin
Oil Producing Glands
Tips & Tricks for taking care of your skin
Wash face two times a day with soap & water
Try not to touch face
Don’t pop or scratch pimples or zits
90% of young people get a pimple at some time or another.
Don’t over scrub your skin and only use warm water.
Drinking lots of water can help your skin be healthy.
Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from future damage.
Talk to an adult first before using any medication on your skin, even if it works for your friends.

22. BODY HAIR Don’t share razors, may spread infections Legs & under arms
Chest
Face
Pubic (private area)
Shaving and Razors
Don’t share razors, may spread infections
Changes include growing hair in places that you never had any before.
Hair will be fine and soft at first, then become more coarse.
It will be some time before you will need to shave…maybe not until your about 16 or older
Shaving…Don’t start until you have to!

23. Communicable diseases
Diseases are caused by bacteria and viruses.
These diseases can spread from one person to another by contact with blood or body fluids.
Cold & Flu viruses
Vaccine preventable diseases
(Tdap, Meningococcal, 2nd Varicella required in 7th grade)
Hepatitis- attacks the liver
HIV- weakens the immune system making it hard for someone to fight off diseases.
Several types of diseases are caused by bacteria and viruses that make our bodies natural defenses weak.
There NEW (Tdap, Meningococcal, 2nd Varicella) immunization is required for attending 7th grade.

24. Preventing Blood Borne Illness and Infection
Avoid contact with other’s blood and body fluid
#1 way to prevent disease is to wash your hands
Don’t share personal items *Razor, toothbrush
If its warm, wet and not yours…don’t touch it!
You can prevent yourself from getting diseases or giving diseases to others by following these simple rules.
Decide now how you will handle situations.
If you need to help a friend…have them care for themselves, then get help from an adult. Always use a barrier between you and any one else’s blood.
Health care workers like a nurse, wear gloves to care for people.

25. Disease Prevention You can’t always tell who may have a disease.
People may not look or act sick, but they can still infect others.
Serious diseases are not transmitted by casual contact like being in the same room, shaking hands, hugging or sitting next to someone.
Take precautions- BUT still be friends!
You can’t always tell who may have a disease.
People may not look or act sick, but they can still infect others.
Serious diseases are not transmitted by casual contact like being in the same room, shaking hands, hugging or sitting next to someone.
You can prevent yourself from getting diseases or giving diseases to others by following these simple rules.
Decide now how you will handle situations.
If you need to help a friend…have them care for themselves then get help from an adult. Always use a barrier between you and any one else’s blood.
Take precautions- BUT still be friends!

26. Reproductive Organs
When we talk about ‘private’ body parts, we need to use correct terminology. This way we show respect for your body and the body of others. The correct words also help us communicate questions and concerns to our parents or medical providers.
Penis - made of soft spongy tissue and blood vessels
Urethra - the passageway where urine and semen leave the body
Scrotum: The wrinkly sac of skin that covers, holds and protects the testicles.
Testicles: Two glands about the size of a walnut. It is in the testicles that millions of very small sperm cells are produced. The testicles also produce the hormone testosterone.
During puberty the hormones cause changes in the reproductive system.
Sperm Cells: Male reproductive cells.

27. A Closer Look

28. Reproductive System Caring for your Body External genitals enlarge
Keep external organs clean
Avoid underwear or clothing that is too tight
Wear protective gear when playing contact sports
Report lumps, swelling or soreness to your parents
Yearly physical checkups
Wash your hands after using the restroom
External genitals enlarge
Circumcision
Sperm production begins
Nocturnal emissions
During puberty the testicles and penis grow larger.
Boys are born with a fold of skin that covers the glans (tip or head) of the penis. This is called the foreskin. If the foreskin is removed (usually a few days after birth) this is called a circumcision. (Different beliefs, traditions, perspectives and personal choices guide decisions about circumcision)
If the foreskin is not removed, it is very important to carefully clean under it by pulling the skin back and washing with soap and water every day.
The reproductive organs are very sensitive and need to be protected. Many coaches recommend that boys wear protective gear when participating in contact sports to help protect themselves from injury.
An erection happens when blood fills the spongy tissue of the penis, making the penis stiffer and longer. During puberty an erection may occur due to changing moods or feelings, lifting heavy objects, waking up with a full bladder, or for no reason at all.
This can be embarrassing, don’t worry it’s the same for all boys and men and is normal. Try to ignore the erection and it will usually go away on its own.
Sometimes the testicles hang loosely away from the body and sometimes the scrotum pulls them up close to the body where it’s warmer. This happens because the testicles need to be at just the right temperature for sperm to be made. It is also a way for the body to protect them. It is normal for one testicle to hang lower than the other.
When sperm production begins, boys usually experience ejaculation, the discharge of sperm in a fluid called semen from the penis, for the first time during puberty.
Sometimes this happens when you are asleep.
A boy may awaken from sleep to discover he has ejaculated during the night, This is called a nocturnal emission or wet dream. They are a normal part of growing up and another sign of puberty.
How often this happens is different for each boy and some may not experience them at all.
“Jock itch” is a common infection of the groin and upper thighs that any boy can get, not just athletes. This infection is caused by fungus which thrives in warm, moist areas. When the groin area gets sweaty and isn’t dried properly, it provides a perfect environment for the fungi to grow. Jock itch usually stays around the creases in the upper thigh.
Prevention: Keep the groin area clean and dry, wear loose-fitting underwear, wash protective equipment often.

29. Accurate Information Ask your parent Talk to a trusted adult
Some of the hardest questions to ask are the personal ones about your body and your feelings.
Having friends you can talk to is great, but they may not always have correct information.
Every adult has gone through puberty. You will find that most adults in your life: parents, teachers, relatives & health care professionals…people you trust…really will understand what you’re going through.
So talk to them if you have questions!
Ask your parent
Talk to a trusted adult
Don’t only get information from peers

30. Be Yourself Growing up doesn’t happen all at once…
it takes time! Remember, you are a
work in progress!