Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mr. Wells, and welcome to today's lesson called Puberty and Brain Development.

It's part of the unit, Our changing bodies: When might I need to seek support? You are required to be supervised by an adult for today's lesson.

Let's get started.

Today's lesson outcome is, "I can describe how my body and brain change during puberty and how to stay healthy as I grow." Before we start today's lesson, there are some ground rules we need to cover.

Let's look at them together.

Firstly, Laura says that we should listen to others.

It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond.

When disagreeing, we should challenge the statement, not the person.

Andeep says we should respect privacy.

We can discuss examples, but do not use names or descriptions that identify anyone, including ourselves.

Jacob says there's no judgment.

We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged.

And finally, Izzy says, we get to choose our level of participation.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or join the discussion.

We're never going to put anybody on the spot.

Throughout today's lesson, there are three keywords and these words will appear in bold on the screen.

The first is puberty.

Puberty is the process of changing from a child's body to an adult's.

It usually starts between the ages of eight to 14.

The second is hormones.

These are chemical substances that help to transport messages around our bodies.

And finally, adolescence, the stage of development from 12 to 18 years of age.

Today's lesson, Puberty and Brain Development is in three learning cycles, the first of which is called, What changes happen during puberty? The second is, How does the brain develop as we grow? And the third is, How can we care for our body and mind? Let's make a start with our first learning cycle: What changes happen during puberty? Puberty is when your body and brain mature from a child to an adult.

Dr.

Elsie says, "Everyone goes through it but not in the same way or at the same time." Some people begin puberty as early as eight or nine, whilst others may not start until their mid-teens.

This variation is completely healthy and natural.

During puberty, the body grows and develops.

Changes might include: growth spurts and body shape changes, skin and hair becoming oilier, development of reproductive organs, voice changes and body hair growth.

And not everybody experiences these changes in the same order or to the same degree.

For example, some people's voices change before they have a growth spurt, whilst others experience these changes the other way round.

The amount of body hair growth, extent of skin changes, and final height all vary from person to person.

And this is normal.

It is time for our first check for understanding.

True or false? Changes during puberty might include growth spurts.

Is that true or is it false? Well done.

The correct answer is true.

Dr.

Elsie's here again, and she says, "These changes happen because of hormones, chemical messengers that help control growth, sleep, mood, and energy levels.

The main hormones involved in puberty include estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, which everyone produces in different amounts.

Puberty can affect how we feel and how we relate to others.

You might: feel emotions more strongly, care more about friendships or fitting in, start to think about your future and independence, and you might feel more self-conscious about your appearance or abilities.

These are perfectly normal things to happen as you go through puberty.

Sophia is an Oak National Academy pupil and she says, "Sometimes I feel happy one minute and annoyed the next.

That's normal, right?" Now Ms. Walsh, the designated safeguarding lead says, "Yes, changing emotions are a normal part of puberty.

Hormones affect mood and your brain is also developing in ways that make feelings more intense." It's time for our next check for understanding.

Discuss why this person is incorrect about puberty.

"Everyone goes through it in the same way or at the same time." Let's go through your answer.

You might have written: "This person is incorrect because everyone's body develops at a different time and pace.

There's no single 'normal' for puberty changes." It's time for our first task.

Jamie and Sneha are both 14.

Jamie has started growing much taller and sometimes feels frustrated or tired for no clear reason.

Sneha says her moods keep changing.

She feels confident one day and tearful the next.

They've both noticed their friendships and feelings are changing too, and they sometimes argue with parents and carers more than before.

Discuss the physical and emotional changes Jamie and Sneha are experiencing that are part of puberty.

Consider how hormones might be influencing these changes.

You can pause the screen and when you're ready to go through your answers, you can press play.

Well done.

Let's go through your answers together.

Your answer might have included the following ideas.

Jamie and Sneha are both showing normal signs of puberty.

Jamie's body is changing physically, growing quickly and using more energy which can cause tiredness.

Hormones are triggering this growth spurt and may also be affecting mood, which explains the frustration.

Both are experiencing changes in friendship and independence, which are common during adolescence.

You are doing really well.

It's time to move on to our second learning cycle: How does the brain develop as we grow? The brain keeps growing and changing through the teenage years and even into the mid twenties.

Different parts develop at different speeds, and this affects how we think and feel.

Dr.

Elsie says, "Your brain's development during adolescence means it's particularly good at learning, forming new habits and adapting to change." The prefrontal cortex at the front of the brain helps with: decision making, planning ahead, managing emotions and understanding consequences.

This part of the brain is still developing during adolescence and doesn't fully mature until you are in your mid twenties.

It's time for a check for understanding.

True or false? The prefrontal cortex is fully developed at birth.

Is that true or is it false? The correct answer is false.

I wonder if you can tell me why? You might have said the prefrontal cortex still develops during adolescence and the mid twenties.

Well done if you got that right.

The limbic system controls emotions and motivation.

It develops earlier than the prefrontal cortex.

The limbic system responds strongly to rewards and exciting experiences.

That's why doing something fun or thrilling can feel especially appealing during adolescence and why feelings can sometimes take the lead over logical thinking before you've had time to consider the risks.

Jack who's an Oak National Academy pupil asked the question, "So it's normal if I feel things really strongly?" And Ms. Walsh says, "Yes, your emotional brain is growing fast.

During adolescence, the limbic system is very active whilst the prefrontal cortex is still developing.

This is why emotions can feel so intense." During puberty, hormones and brain changes make emotions more intense.

You might: react quickly to stress or anger, feel excited or worried more easily, switch moods faster than before, find it harder to control impulses.

Well, here we have Jack with all of those different feelings and different emotions just in one day.

As your brain develops, it gets better at: thinking through choices, predicting outcomes, understanding risks and rewards, pausing before reacting, and the brain gradually strengthens the connections between the emotional and logical parts, helping you balance feelings with thoughtful choices.

Teenage brains can be more sensitive to what others think.

During adolescence, the brain places more importance on social connections and fitting in with peers.

That's why friends' opinions can feel very important when making decisions.

Hormones during adolescence also increase emotional responses to social situations, making peer approval or rejection feel particularly intense.

And here in the illustration, you can see a teenager on the edge of the edge of the water there making a decision based upon the influence of their friends and whether that's the right decision for them or not.

Because the decision making part of the brain is still developing, it helps to: take a moment before reacting, ask for advice from a trusted adult, think about long-term effects, and consider how your choices might affect others.

And here in this illustration, we have somebody who's saying, "I'm not risking my future," about taking the possessions of somebody else." It's time for our next check for understanding.

What helps you make better decisions when emotions feel strong? Your ideas might have included: taking a pause before reacting, talking to someone trusted for perspective, writing down your thoughts to help process them, and removing yourself from the situation temporarily to calm down.

It's time for our next task.

In your own words, summarize how the brain develops during puberty and how these changes affect emotions and decision-making.

You can use words from the word bank in your response, and the words in the word bank are: puberty, prefrontal cortex, decision-making, impulse control, limbic system, emotions, adolescence, hormones, and logical thinking.

You can pause the screen now and press play when you're ready to go through your answers.

How did you get on? Let's have a look at this answer.

Your response might look like this.

In your own words, summarize how the brain develops during puberty and how these changes affect emotions and decision making.

During puberty, the brain keeps developing, especially the prefrontal cortex.

This part of the brain controls decision-making and impulse control, but it develops more slowly than the limbic system which handles emotions.

This means teenagers might feel things strongly and react quickly without thinking everything through first.

The limbic system makes exciting or rewarding things feel really appealing, which is why risky choices can seem tempting.

Hormones also make emotions stronger during adolescence and make us care more about what our friends think.

As the brain matures, it gets better at connecting emotions with logical thinking, so we learn to pause, consider consequences, and make more careful decisions.

Well done if your answer looks something like this.

It's time for the final learning cycle in today's lesson, How can we care for our body and mind? Simple everyday habits can make a big difference to the health of our bodies and mind.

We could eat balanced meals and drink water.

We can get regular exercise like the person in the illustration.

We can sleep eight to 10 hours a night, limit screen time before bed, and we can spend time outdoors when possible.

Sleep helps your body recover and your brain grow.

Good sleep supports: clear thinking and focus, stable emotions, energy for learning and activity, and physical growth and hormone regulation during adolescence.

Jack says, "When I don't sleep, I feel stressed and moody." And Ms. Walsh says, "That's because your brain needs rest to manage emotions.

During adolescence, your body also needs sleep to regulate the hormones involved in puberty." Healthy sleep habits can help you feel calmer, more focused and ready for the day.

You could try: going to bed and waking up at a similar time each day, even on the weekends.

This helps your body clock regulate when you feel sleepy and alert.

And avoiding screens for at least an hour before bed.

Blue light from devices can stop your brain from producing melatonin, the hormone that makes you feel sleepy.

Avoiding caffeine or energy drinks for at least four hours before bed.

Caffeine is a stimulant which keeps your brain alert and can stay in your system for several hours.

Creating a calm bedtime routine like reading, stretching, or listening to quiet music, relaxing activities which signal to your brain that it is time to wind down and prepare for sleep.

Keeping your room dark, cool and comfortable because darkness triggers melatonin production and a cooler temperature helps your body reach the ideal state for deep sleep.

Talk to a parent or carer if you have sleep problems and they continue, as they can offer additional support.

It's time for a check for understanding.

Jack isn't getting enough sleep.

What advice would you give to him? You might have said: Jack should try to go to bed and wake up at a regular time.

This could help his body and brain get into a good rhythm.

Jack should avoid screens, caffeine or energy drinks before bed as they can make it harder to fall asleep.

Jack could create a calm bedtime routine, like reading, stretching or listening to quiet music.

And Jack could make sure the bedroom is dark, cool, and comfortable for better rest.

It's normal to feel strong emotions throughout adolescence.

You can help manage them by: talking about how you feel with someone you trust, like in the illustration, taking deep breaths or short breaks, writing, drawing or listening to music, exercising or going for a walk, and identifying what triggers certain emotions.

Bodies change quickly during puberty, but there's no right way to look.

Nurse Daniels here and he says, "Appreciating what your body can do, not just how it looks, helps build confidence.

Everybody's body develops differently during adolescence, and comparing yourself to others, including online or in the media, isn't helpful.

Focus on staying healthy and treating your body with respect." It's always okay to ask for help, especially if you feel: overwhelmed or constantly worried, low in mood for more than two weeks, unable to sleep or eat properly, unsafe or pressured, or confused about the changes happening to your body.

David is a youth worker and he is here to say, "Asking for help early means you can get support before things build up.

You can talk to a parent, carer, teacher, school nurse, or your GP.

You can also contact organizations like Childline on 0800 1111 if you need someone to talk to confidentially.

It's time for a check for understanding.

Which of these actions supports good mental and physical health.

A: keeping worries to yourself, B: getting enough sleep, C: limiting screen time before bed, or D: comparing yourselves to others online? The correct answer is, B, getting enough sleep and C, limiting screen time before bed.

It's time for our final task of today's lesson.

You're doing really well.

Mark each habit with a tick if it is helpful for teenagers during puberty or a cross if it is unhelpful.

I'm going to read them to you now.

A: going for a walk or playing sport.

B: staying up late scrolling on your phone.

C: eating balanced meals and drinking water.

D: talking to someone when you feel worried.

E: getting enough sleep each night.

F: writing or drawing to express emotions.

G: bottling up your feelings.

H: spending time with supportive friends.

I: skipping meals or eating an unbalanced diet high in sugar.

And J: taking time away from social media.

You can pause the screen now and when you're ready to go through your answers, you can press play.

Well done.

Your answers should look like this.

Going for a walk or playing sport is helpful, so you might have a tick next to it.

Staying up late scrolling on your phone is unhelpful, so you might have a cross next to it.

Eating balanced meals and drinking water is helpful.

Talking to someone when you feel worried is helpful.

Getting enough sleep each night is helpful, and writing or drawing to express emotions is also helpful.

Bottling up your feelings is unhelpful.

Spending time with supportive friends is helpful.

Skipping meals or eating an unbalanced diet high in sugar is unhelpful.

And taking time away from social media can be helpful.

Well done if you got those right.

Well done for all of your hard work today.

We're going to take a moment now to summarize what we've learned in today's lesson.

Puberty is a natural and important part of growing up.

Everyone experiences it in their own way.

During adolescence, the body and brain change, which can sometimes make emotions feel stronger.

Hormones play a key role in these physical and emotional changes.

Taking care of yourself through sleep, healthy habits and talking about your feelings helps you stay balanced.

And the way your brain develops affects your decisions, so taking time to think is a sign of maturity.

Looking after your body and mind helps you grow with confidence, kindness, and respect for yourself and others.

There are some organizations that can support if you need it.

The NHS website, it offers advice about health and prevention, including how to access different services.

And Childline, a website and phone line, which is able to offer confidential advice and support.

Well done for all your hard work today, and I hope you join us for another Oak National Academy lesson sometime soon.