Puberty and brain development
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how my body and brain change during puberty and how to stay healthy as I grow.
Key learning points
- Puberty is a natural stage of growing up that everyone experiences differently.
- The body and brain go through physical, emotional and social changes.
- Hormones help control growth, mood and development.
- The adolescent brain keeps developing, which influences choices and feelings.
- Healthy habits and support help us manage these changes positively.
Keywords
Puberty - the process of changing from a child's body to an adult's; it usually starts between the ages of 8-14
Hormones - chemical substances that help to transport messages around our bodies
Adolescence - the stage of development from 12-18 years of age
Common misconception
Everyone goes through puberty at the same time and in the same way.
Puberty is unique to each person. Some changes happen earlier or later; both are normal. Respecting differences helps everyone feel comfortable and confident.
Teacher tip
Use reassuring, inclusive language. Emphasise that puberty is a positive part of development, not something to worry about. Encourage questions and remind pupils that support is always available if they have concerns. Be mindful that some pupils may have started puberty earlier or later than peers.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word means how well a person can produce eggs or sperm and achieve pregnancy?
Q2.Everyone goes through puberty , which means some people start earlier or later than others.
Q3.True or False? Once menstruation starts, someone will get one period a month until they experience menopause.
Q4.What causes perimenopause?
Q5.Which symptoms are commonly associated with perimenopause?
Q6.Match each life stage to how menstrual cycles typically appear at that time.
often irregular as the body adjusts and hormones stabilise
generally more regular, typically 11-13 cycles per year
increasingly irregular as hormones fluctuate
no periods, as menstruation has ended
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each term to its correct definition.
the process of changing from a child's body to an adult's
chemical substances that help to transport messages around our bodies
the stage of development from 12-18 years of age
Q2.What types of changes happen during puberty?
Q3.True or False? Everyone goes through puberty at the same time and in the same way.
Q4.Hormones help control growth, mood and ...
Q5.How does brain development during adolescence affect teenagers?
Q6.What helps us manage changes during puberty positively?
To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Puberty and brain development, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Puberty and brain development, 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 3 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Our changing bodies: When might I need to seek support? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.