Physical changes during puberty
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the physical changes that happen during puberty.
Key learning points
- Puberty usually begins between ages 8 and 14 and there is no 'normal' way to experience it.
- Key areas of physical change include size, genitals, breasts and body hair.
- It is important to know the scientific names for genitals.
- People can feel insecure about the way their body changes during puberty.
Keywords
Puberty - the time when a child's body starts to change and grow into an adult's 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
Insecure - feeling unsure about yourself or worried about what others think
Common misconception
Everyone starts puberty by aged 12.
Many people do not start puberty until they are older than 12. Puberty can start anytime from ages 8 to 14. Some people go through puberty quickly and some people develop more slowly. Both fast and slow developments are healthy and normal.
Teacher tip
Emphasise that there is no single, normal way to experience puberty. Changes can happen in a number of different orders and speeds. Repeat that there is huge variation in the way that puberty occurs.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.When does puberty usually begin?
Q2.How could you manage your emotions during puberty?
Q3.Teenagers tend to sleep and wake up than children and adults.
Q4.Match the word to the correct definition.
when a child's body starts to change and grow into an adult body
relating to your thoughts and feelings
relating to your body
Q5.Everyone experiences puberty ...
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match the word to the correct definition.
private parts that help with reproduction and other bodily functions
feeling unsure about yourself or worried about what others think
when a child's body starts to change and grow into an adult body
Q2.Everyone starts puberty at the same time. True or false?
Q3.Match the word to the correct definition.
all of the female genitals on the outside of the body
the lips at the side of the vulva
soft sack of skin that protects the testicles
a ring of skin that covers the end of a penis
Q4.What do both females and males experience during puberty?
Q5.Some people might feel during puberty.
To help you plan your 6 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Physical 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: Physical 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.