Basic 8 · Religious and Moral Education · Puberty Rites
Physical and Emotional Changes at Puberty
In this topic you will explain the physical and emotional changes that characterise puberty and learn how to handle them with knowledge, good hygiene and self-respect.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain what puberty is and when it occurs
- Describe the physical changes in boys and girls
- Explain emotional changes and how to manage them
What you already know
- Rites of passage
- Personal hygiene
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Religious Practices
- Sub-strand
- Puberty Rites
- Indicator
- B8.2.1.1.2 – Explain physical and emotional changes that characterize puberty
Introduction
You may have noticed that you and your classmates are changing fast. These changes are normal, and understanding them removes much of the worry.
1. What Is Puberty?
Puberty: The stage of life when a child's body develops into that of an adult and becomes able to reproduce.
Puberty usually begins between the ages of about 8 and 14 and is often earlier in girls than in boys. It happens because the body starts to produce more hormones, which are chemical messengers in the blood. Every person has a personal timetable. Some of your classmates may start early, and others late. Neither is better, and neither is a cause for teasing. If you are worried about your development, speak with a parent, a trusted adult or a health worker.
2. Changes in Boys and Girls
| Boys | Girls | Both |
|---|---|---|
| voice deepens | breasts develop | growth spurt |
| shoulders broaden | hips widen | hair under arms and around the private parts |
| facial hair grows | menstruation begins | more sweating |
| muscles grow | body shape becomes rounder | pimples may appear |
| testes begin to produce sperm | ovaries begin to release eggs | stronger body odour |
3. Menstruation
Menstruation, or a period, is the monthly flow of blood from a girl's womb. It shows that her body is developing normally, and it is not a sickness or something to be ashamed of. A period usually lasts between three and seven days. Girls should keep a clean sanitary pad available and change it regularly. Boys should never mock a girl about this. Boys also have new experiences, such as a voice that cracks, or wet dreams, which are normal too.
4. Personal Hygiene
Because the body sweats more during puberty, good hygiene matters. Bath at least once a day with soap, and wash your underwear often. Dry clothes in the sun. Brush your teeth twice a day. Wash your face gently to control pimples, and avoid squeezing them. Healthy food, enough sleep and exercise also help your growing body. Religions encourage cleanliness too: Muslims wash before prayer, and many Christians quote the idea that the body is a temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19).
New words
- puberty
- The stage of developing into an adult.
- hormones
- Chemical messengers in the body.
- menstruation
- The monthly flow of blood from the womb.
- hygiene
- Keeping the body clean and healthy.
Summary
- Puberty is the normal development of the body into an adult form.
- Boys and girls experience different changes at their own pace.
- Good hygiene becomes especially important during puberty.
Class activity: Hygiene Guide
- Make a daily hygiene checklist for teenagers.
- Add advice on food, sleep and exercise.
- Display your checklist in the classroom.
You need: Printed puberty-change cards, Bar of soap, Menstrual pad
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which change happens in boys at puberty?
- A. The voice deepens
- B. Menstruation begins
- C. Breasts develop
- D. Height decreases
Show answer
Answer: The voice deepensBoys.2. Hormones are…
- A. chemical messengers in the body
- B. types of food
- C. bones in the body
- D. kinds of germ
Show answer
Answer: chemical messengers in the bodyBody chemistry.3. Everyone starts puberty at exactly the same age.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalsePeople differ.4. The monthly flow of blood from the womb is ______.
Show answer
Answer: menstruationGirls.5. Give three hygiene habits that matter during puberty.
Show answer
Answer: Bathing daily with soap, washing underwear and brushing the teeth.Any three.6. Why should learners not tease others about their development?
Show answer
Answer: Each person develops at their own pace, the changes are normal and teasing hurts dignity.Respect.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Religious Practices
- Sub-strand
- Puberty Rites
- Indicator
- B8.2.1.1.2 – Explain physical and emotional changes that characterize puberty
Introduction
Puberty changes the way you feel as well as how you look. You may be happy one moment and upset the next, and that is common.
1. Emotional Changes
| Change | Example | Helpful response |
|---|---|---|
| mood swings | feeling cheerful, then sad | rest, exercise, talk to someone |
| self-consciousness | worrying about looks | remember that everyone is changing |
| wish for independence | wanting to decide for yourself | discuss respectfully with parents |
| friends matter more | caring what the group thinks | choose friends with good values |
| attraction | noticing others | keep respect and boundaries |
These feelings come partly from hormones, and partly from the changing expectations of the people around you. They do not mean that something is wrong with you. Learning to name your feelings is a very useful first step towards handling them well.
2. Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is the influence of friends on your behaviour. It can be positive, as when friends encourage you to study. It can also be negative, as when they push you to smoke, drink or skip school. To resist bad pressure, say no clearly, give a short reason, walk away and find better company. True friends will respect your decision. If you are ever pressured or touched in a way that makes you uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult. It is never your fault, and you have the right to be safe.
3. What Religions Teach
Religions teach self-control during this time. Christian teaching stresses that the body should be kept pure and that sexual relations belong within marriage. Islam teaches modesty in dress and behaviour, and at puberty a young Muslim becomes responsible for religious duties such as prayer and fasting. In traditional society, puberty rites teach young people to keep themselves chaste until marriage. All three encourage young people to respect themselves and others.
4. Risks and Good Decisions
Early sexual activity can lead to teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and dropping out of school. Waiting protects your health, education and future. Also avoid drugs and alcohol, since they damage the brain, which is still developing. If you have questions, ask a parent, teacher, nurse or religious leader. You should not depend on rumours from friends or on what you find on social media. Your teenage years are a time to build habits and goals that will serve you well as an adult.
New words
- mood swing
- A sudden change of feeling.
- peer pressure
- The influence of friends on behaviour.
- self-control
- Managing your own desires and actions.
- modesty
- Decency in dress and behaviour.
Summary
- Puberty brings mood swings and new feelings.
- Learners should resist negative peer pressure and talk to trusted adults.
- Religions teach self-control, modesty and respect.
Class activity: Saying No
- Role play a friend pressuring you to do something wrong.
- Practise saying no firmly and politely.
- Discuss what worked best.
You need: Printed puberty-change cards, Bar of soap, Menstrual pad
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The influence of friends on behaviour is…
- A. peer pressure
- B. hygiene
- C. puberty
- D. a hormone
Show answer
Answer: peer pressureFriends.2. Which is a good way to deal with mood swings?
- A. Talk to someone you trust
- B. Fight your friends
- C. Stop eating
- D. Skip school
Show answer
Answer: Talk to someone you trustHealthy response.3. Peer pressure can be positive.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueEncouragement to study.4. Decency in dress and behaviour is ______.
Show answer
Answer: modestyReligious value.5. Give two steps for resisting negative peer pressure.
Show answer
Answer: Say no clearly and walk away.Any two.6. Why should a teenager avoid early sexual activity?
Show answer
Answer: It can cause pregnancy, infections and dropping out of school, damaging health and the future.Consequences.
Homework
- Write down three goals for your teenage years and how you will reach them.