Emotional changes during puberty
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the emotional changes that take place during puberty and explain where to get support.
Key learning points
- There is no 'normal' way to experience puberty as everyone has a different experience.
- Key areas of emotional change include risk-taking, attraction, mood and independence.
- Some teenagers struggle with getting enough sleep.
- Some teenagers need extra support with managing their emotions during puberty.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of nudity
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Is there such thing as a 'normal' puberty experience? Yes or no?
Q2.How can we look after ourselves?
Q3.Puberty usually starts between the ages of eight and ...
Q4.How can we help others during puberty?
Q5.Match the words to the correct definitions.
the body parts that help with reproduction and other bodily functions
feeling unsure about yourself or worried about what others think
the time when a child’s body starts to change into an adult's
Q6.Match the genitals to the biological sex.
female
male
male
female
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to the definitions.
feelings we have inside, like happiness, sadness, or anger
having romantic feelings for another person
doing something without other people supporting us
Q2.What causes emotions to change rapidly during puberty?
Q3.What emotional changes might happen during puberty?
Q4.When taking risks, people should think about the ...
Q5.What can people do to manage emotions during puberty?
Q6.Some teenagers struggle with getting enough ...
To help you plan your 6 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Emotional changes during puberty, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Emotional changes during puberty, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Puberty: What happens during adolescence? unit, dive into the full primary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.