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Lesson 3 of 3
  • Year 6

Emotional changes during puberty

I can describe the emotional changes that take place during puberty and explain where to get support.

Lesson 3 of 3
New
New
  • Year 6

Emotional changes during puberty

I can describe the emotional changes that take place during puberty and explain where to get support.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There is no 'normal' way to experience puberty as everyone has a different experience.
  2. Key areas of emotional change include risk-taking, attraction, mood and independence.
  3. Some teenagers struggle with getting enough sleep.
  4. Some teenagers need extra support with managing their emotions during puberty.
  5. There are lots different types of support to help people during puberty.

Keywords

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

  • Emotions - feelings we have inside, like happiness, sadness, or anger; they help us react to things happening around us and with others

  • Attracted - having romantic feelings for another person

  • Independence - doing something without other people supporting us

Common misconception

Teenagers are always moody.

Emotions can be heightened in puberty. Teenagers are often also dealing with new stresses and experiences, which can make it harder to regulate emotions. They may also seek out more time alone or with friends. Support is more useful than judgement.


To help you plan your year 6 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Emotional changes during puberty, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ensure that there is clarity in differentiating between myths and facts. Be clear in your language concerning when things are true, false or partially true.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of nudity

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Is there such thing as a 'normal' puberty experience? Yes or no?

Correct Answer: No, N

Q2.
How can we look after ourselves?

Correct answer: eating a healthy diet
Correct answer: exercising
staying up late
Correct answer: talking about our emotions

Q3.
Puberty usually starts between the ages of eight and ...

Correct Answer: fourteen, 14

Q4.
How can we help others during puberty?

Correct answer: not making comments about others
ignoring how others are feeling
excluding others
Correct answer: reminding others that everyone experiences puberty differently

Q5.
Match the words to the correct definitions.

Correct Answer:genitals,the body parts that help with reproduction and other bodily functions

the body parts that help with reproduction and other bodily functions

Correct Answer:insecure,feeling unsure about yourself or worried about what others think

feeling unsure about yourself or worried about what others think

Correct Answer:puberty,the time when a child’s body starts to change into an adult's

the time when a child’s body starts to change into an adult's

Q6.
Match the genitals to the biological sex.

Correct Answer:vulva,female

female

Correct Answer:testicles,male

male

Correct Answer:scrotum,male

male

Correct Answer:clitoris,female

female

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to the definitions.

Correct Answer:emotions,feelings we have inside, like happiness, sadness, or anger

feelings we have inside, like happiness, sadness, or anger

Correct Answer:attraction,having romantic feelings for another person

having romantic feelings for another person

Correct Answer:independence,doing something without other people supporting us

doing something without other people supporting us

Q2.
What causes emotions to change rapidly during puberty?

Correct answer: hormones
emotions
appetite
lack of sleep

Q3.
What emotional changes might happen during puberty?

Correct answer: heightened emotions
needing less sleep
Correct answer: things that are important to people might change
school work becomes easier
starting menstruation for first time

Q4.
When taking risks, people should think about the ...

Correct Answer: consequences, effects of their actions

Q5.
What can people do to manage emotions during puberty?

go to sleep late
Correct answer: write their feelings down
Correct answer: speak to a trusted adult
ignore how they feel

Q6.
Some teenagers struggle with getting enough ...

Correct Answer: sleep, rest