GROWING UP-GIRLS

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY BODY?

GROUND RULES

• Act mature
• Listen & be respectful
• All questions are good questions
• Use proper terms for body parts

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CLASS OBJECTIVES

• Understand how your body changes during puberty�
• Feel confident about growing up�
• Talk openly with trusted adults about your body�
• Appreciate how amazing the human body is�
• Treat yourself and others with respect

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THE QUESTION BOX

• The question box lets you ask questions anonymously.
• If you don’t have a question that ok! Just write down a note or draw a picture.
• We will answer questions at the end of our discussion.

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WHAT IS PUBERTY

Developing from a child into an adult

FUN FACT

• Girls usually start puberty before boys (on average about 1-2 yrs) Girls age 8-13, Boys 10-17.

FUN FACT

• Puberty happens gradually over the course of 4-5 years

FUN FACT

• During puberty, your body will grow faster than at any other time in your life, except when you were a baby

“I’m annoyed. Everything starts changing and it doesn’t stop.” �“I feel like I am the only person going through the changes.”�“I’m a giant next to my crush…”�“I have fur!”�“I didn’t know girls were supposed to have hair down there. It freaked me out!”�“My changes to my breasts didn’t surprise me, but my younger sister’s friend had bigger breasts than me & that was shocking!”�

WHAT SOME GIRLS SAY

EVERYONE GOES THROUGH PUBERTY

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Your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc . . .

Why are all of these things happening to me? Hormones, that’s why!!

During puberty, two parts of your brain, called the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, start making more hormones.

• Hormones are chemicals that send messages in your body to make changes happen.
• Some hormones will make your bones grow longer.
• Others help your brain and reproductive system develop.

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Did you know?

• Boys and girls have the same hormones, but boys have more testosterone, and girls have more estrogen. That’s one of the things that makes us different!
• Puberty simply happens to prepare your body for reproducing.

Changes During Puberty

Girls Only

• Breast start to grow
• Vaginal discharge begins
• Hips and thighs broaden

Both Girls & Boys

• Emotions & feelings may seem stronger
• Brain development improves the way you think & understand
• New feelings of attraction may begin
• You grow taller
• Skin gets oilier & pimples may appear
• Sweating increases, body develops own odor
• Body hair grows: face, armpit, leg & pubic

GROWTH

During puberty, your body will change and grow. Sometimes, this happens really fast, and it's called a "growth spurt."

During a growth spurt, you can grow up to 4 inches in one year. Growth spurts usually start between ages 9 and 11.

Most girls stop growing by age 18, but everyone grows at their own speed, so you might grow faster or slower than others.

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How to deal with these changes:

BREAST DEVELOP

• Developing breast is one of the first signs that your body is changing
• Your breasts grow gradually; most of the time you won’t notice it.
• As your breast develop, they may feel uncomfortable or sore; this is normal

BRA BASICS

• When your breasts grow, wearing a bra can help support them and make you feel more comfortable.
• As your breasts grow, your nipples might show through your clothes, and a bra can help keep that private.
• It’s important to have a proper fitting bra for the support you need.
• Talk to a parent or guardian that’s an adult to help fit a bra that fits you.

HIPS WIDEN�

During puberty your body shape begins to change. �You may get taller and gain weight.�Your hips may become wider & more noticeable. �Your pelvic bones also change to form a bowl shape, which helps support a pregnancy if you ever want to have a child in the future.�

What’ the deal with the new body hair?

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• You might notice hair growing in new places, like your face, under your arms, on your legs, and around your private area.
• It usually starts out light and fine, and gets thicker and darker.

Why am I sweating so much?

SWEAT

If you've noticed you're sweating more, you're not the only one. During puberty, your sweat glands get more active and start working harder.

BODY ODOR

Sweating is normal and helps keep your body cool. But it can also cause body odor.

WASH & CHANGE CLOTHES

Wash your body every day.

After showering, use deodorant or antiperspirant. Be sure to change into clean clothes every day.

During puberty, your face gets oilier. You might get pimples, blackheads, or acne.

If you get acne, it doesn't mean you're dirty or did something wrong. It’s usually because of the new hormones in your body, and sometimes it runs in the family.��3 steps to Better Skin�1. Clean-wash your face twice daily with gentle soap or cleanser.�2. Prevent-Make sure to moisturize after each wash so your skin stays hydrated.�3. Eat healthy foods, exercise daily, and get plenty of sleep at night.

SKIN CARE

MOUTH CARE

PART OF STAYING HEALTHY IS MAKING SURE YOU KEEP YOUR TEETH CLEAN. �1. BRUSH & FLOSS-MORNING & NIGHT�2. USE MOUTHWASH-AFTER BRUSHING & FLOSSING

HAIR CARE

PUBERTY MAY CAUSE YOUR HAIR BECOME OILIER, THICKER, COARSER- EVEN CURLIER OR STRAIGHTER.

1. WASH WITH SHAMPOO-REMOVES DIRT AND DEBRIS

2. APPLY CONDITIONER-HELPS TO MOISTURIZE & UNTANGLE

Reproductive System Changes��1. During puberty, girls start to produce more estrogen & progesterone��2. Estrogen causes your reproductive organs to grow, mature & prepare to start your menstrual cycle.��3. Girls will notice vaginal discharge. It’s normal to see white or yellow stains in your underpants. This fluid keeps your vagina clean & moist. ��4. Girls menstrual cycle will begin ��ALL OF THIS IS NORMAL, HEALTHY & A POSITIVE PART OF GROWING UP

Understanding Your Anatomy��Play Video Here

UNDERSTANDING YOUR �MENSTRUAL CYCLE�Play Video Here

• “I thought it would be noticeable, but it’s not. No one even knows that I’ve started my period, except my mom.”

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• “I thought it came out of my pee hole”

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• “I thought I’d never be able to go swimming again!”

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• “I thought you only got it once, NOT every month.”

WHAT SOME GIRLS SAY

Understanding Your Period

How Long Does My Period Last?

• For most girls a period lasts 3-7 days.

Will My Period Hurt?

• Periods don’t usually hurt, but many girls feel headaches, sore breasts, or cramps in their belly before their period. Using a heat pad, drinking water, taking medicine like Motrin, and exercising can help you feel better.

How Much Blood Will I Lose?

• On average, a girl loses about 4 to 12 teaspoons of menstrual fluid during her period. But only a small amount of that is blood. Since your body has about 4 liters of blood, losing a little bit during your period isn’t a big deal.

I Haven’t Had a Period, is this Ok?

• There’s no exact time when your first period will come. Most girls get their period between ages 10 and 16, but everyone is different. Your period will start when your body is ready. Every girl has her own timing.

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How do you deal with the �menstrual fluid? �

Most girls start using pads to manage their period because they’re easy to use. A pad is a soft, absorbent material that you stick to the inside of your underwear to soak up your period.

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How to Apply Pads

How to Dispose of a Pad

Step 1: Roll Pad

Step 2: Throw Pad in Garbage

DO NOT Dispose of Pads in the Toilet

� ����Choose what is right for you……

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• PADS: Pads are simple to use. They’re made of cotton-like material that sticks to your underwear and absorbs the blood. Pads come in different sizes: thinner ones for lighter days and thicker ones for heavier days.

DO NOT FLUSH PADS OR TAMPONS DOWN THE TOILET!!

ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS!!

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• TAMPONS: A tampon is made of cotton-like material that you put inside your vagina to soak up the blood. It’s like a small pad that goes inside your body instead of sticking to your underwear. Tampons are good for swimming and activities like gymnastics or dance.

Play Video Here

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YOUR PERIOD �& �YOU

Your menstrual cycle:

• Is the time from the first day of one period to the first day of the next period. 
• The average time this takes is 28 days (Then the cycle starts again).
• Like many girls, your period will most likely be irregular at first. It will take a while for your body to adjust.

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Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

What is PMS?

• Between ovulation and the first day of your period, your hormones levels change.
• This can make you feel more emotional than usual and cause physical symptoms.
• These symptoms arecalled PMS and are very normal.

How to Manage PMS

• Get enough sleep at night
• Use a heat pad on your stomach or take a warm bath
• Exercise
• Practice deep breathing exercises
• Eat foods rich in fiber and low in sugar/fat
• Take Motrin as directed to help with cramping/pain

Common PMS Symptoms

• Feeling swollen or bloated
• Change in appetite
• Breast tenderness
• Abdominal cramps and feeling queasy
• Acne or skin rash

• Take control and be prepared!
• Keep an “emergency period kit” in your backpack or locker at all times.
• Pack a few pads or tampons & a clean pair of underwear.
• You’ll feel calmer if you're prepared!

EMERGENCY PERIOD KIT

���Managing Your Period

Periods can bring up a lot of emotions. Talk to a trusted adult like YOUR MOM, older sister, grandma, friend’s mom, or even your school nurse, counselor or teacher!!

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Remember, every woman you ask has gone through puberty, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

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SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL & MENTAL CHANGES

• Feelings may change from day to day or even from moment to moment
• You may have mood swings
• You might have a “Crush”
• You may have a new friends
• You may have new freedoms
• You will have to make more decisions

DON’T WORRY IT IS ALL PART OF GROWING UP!

WHAT SOME GIRLS SAY

• “I FEEL MORE EMOTIONAL DURING CERTAIN TIMES OF THE MONTH. I GET ANNOYED WITH MY HAIR & FIND LITTLE THINGS RIDICULOUS, AND THEN, BAM, THE FOLLOWING DAY, EVERYTHING GOES BACK TO NORMAL.”

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• “I FEEL VERY TIRED & GET UPSET VERY EASILY OVER THINGS THAT ARE NO BIG DEAL. EVEN STUPID THINGS, LIKE WHAT I SHOULD EAT FOR AN AFTER-SCHOOL SNACK.”

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• “I GET REALLY MOODY AND CRY FOR NO REASON.”

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• “I GET ANGRY AT MY FRIENDS, WHO NORMALLY NEVER MAKE ME MAD.”

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Great Ways to Manage Your Mood

• Move your body-Exercise one hour per day
• Talk about it-Don’t hold in all those feelings until you are ready to explode!
• Laugh-a lot!! And also SMILE!
• Say you’re sorry-Just take a deep breath and apologize.
• Recharge-Take a bubble bath, listen to music, read a good book
• Cry-It’s Okay!
• Get Creative-Draw, write, sing, dance
• Sleep- Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night
• Eat healthy- Foods fuel your body
• Have good Hygiene-Take a daily shower, wash your hair, brush your teeth 2x daily, wear clean clothes

You may think your legs are too skinny or your stomach is too big. That's totally normal -- most of us don't like something about our looks. But bodies come in all shapes and sizes. So don't worry if you don't look exactly like the models you see in fashion magazines. Instead, aim for a healthy weight by getting exercise and eating a nutritious diet.�

WHY DON’T I LOOK LIKE THOSE MODELS?

PLAY VIDEO HERE

Healthy Relationships�Taking Care of Others Around You!�During puberty, everyone is going through changes that can be hard to deal with. �Be kind to others and talk to a trusted adult if you’re worried about a friend.�Crushes are Normal�You might start seeing some people as more than just friends and feel new emotions or have crushes. This is completely normal! Just remember, others might not feel the same, and it's important to respect their feelings.�Discovering New Feelings�During this time, your body is making more hormones, which can make you feel new things. You might become curious about your sexuality, and that’s totally normal!

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THE END

PLAY COED VIDEO HERE (start at 1min 37 sec)

Reference List

Always Changing & Growing Up. (n.d.). In P&G School Program. Retrieved from https://www.pgschoolprograms.com/Educators

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Discovery Girls. (n.d.). Growing Up: Everything You Need to Know About Your Changing Body. California: Discovery Girls, Inc.

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Schaefer, V. L. (1998). The Care & Keeping of You. Middleton, WI: American Girl Publishing, Inc.�

Chicago Public Schools. (n.d.). Sexual Health Education: Grade 5 Puberty.�

Seattle & King County Public Health. (2009). Family LIfe and Sexual Health Grades 4,5,6, Lesson 9, 10.

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Pregnancy 101 | National Geographic

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