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      Staying clean during puberty

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain how to stay clean during puberty.

      Key learning points

      1. Staying clean is important for our health.
      2. To stay clean we need to wash our bodies and brush our teeth regularly.
      3. During puberty, we sweat more and this can cause increased body odour.
      4. Our genitals need to be cleaned regularly and in the correct way.

      Keywords

      • Puberty - the time when a child’s body starts to change and grow into an adult body

      • Hygiene - keeping ourselves clean and healthy

      • Body odour - the smells created by our body

      • Genitals - the body parts that help with reproduction and other bodily functions; they are important for health, are private and are different for different bodies

      Common misconception

      We need special products to keep ourselves clean.

      All we need to stay clean is soap and warm water. It is better to use only warm water when washing genitals, as products can cause irritation.

      Teacher tip

      Emphasise that normal soap is enough to stay clean.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Depiction or discussion of sexual content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is puberty?

      a stage of life that starts at 11 years old
      the time of life involving only physical changes
      Correct answer: the time when a child’s body starts to change and grow into an adult body
      a stage of life involving only emotional changes

      Q2.
      Which statements about sleep are true?

      Teenagers are always lazy.
      Correct answer: It is important to get plenty of sleep during puberty.
      Puberty means you should sleep less.
      Correct answer: Teenagers often sleep and wake up later because their circadian rhythm changes.

      Q3.
      Why should we learn the scientific name for our genitals?

      It is wrong to use different names for our genitals.
      Correct answer: It helps if we need to talk to a doctor.
      Correct answer: It helps if we are worried and need to talk to a trusted adult.

      Q4.
      Females have a and a vagina as part of their genitals.

      Correct Answer: vulva

      Q5.
      Match the word to the correct definition.

      Correct Answer:vagina,the opening in female genitalia between the womb and the vulva

      the opening in female genitalia between the womb and the vulva

      Correct Answer:menstrual cycle,the monthly cycle, during which someone ovulates and menstruates

      the monthly cycle, during which someone ovulates and menstruates

      Correct Answer:menstruation,the time in the cycle when blood comes out of the vagina

      the time in the cycle when blood comes out of the vagina

      Correct Answer:ovulation,the time in the cycle when an egg is released from the ovaries

      the time in the cycle when an egg is released from the ovaries

      Correct Answer:period,another word for menstruation

      another word for menstruation

      Q6.
      Males have a penis and as part of their genitals.

      Correct Answer: testicles

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      How often should we brush our teeth?

      once a day
      after we've eaten
      Correct answer: twice a day
      when we have bad breath

      Q2.
      Match the word to the correct definition.

      Correct Answer:puberty,when a child’s body starts to change and grow into an adult body

      when a child’s body starts to change and grow into an adult body

      Correct Answer:hygiene,keeping ourselves clean and healthy

      keeping ourselves clean and healthy

      Correct Answer:body odour,the smells created by our body

      the smells created by our body

      Correct Answer:genitals,the private parts of the body used for reproduction

      the private parts of the body used for reproduction

      Q3.
      Which statements about cleaning our bodies are true?

      You only need to wash your body with water.
      Correct answer: It is important to wash our bodies regularly during puberty.
      You should always use soap to wash your genitals.
      Correct answer: Hormone changes can cause increased body odour and greasy hair.

      Q4.
      What does the vagina produce which helps keep it clean?

      Correct Answer: discharge

      To help you plan your 4 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Staying clean during puberty, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...