Adapted from: Puberty: Understanding Your Changin

Body. SexualityandU.ca, 2010

Puberty
Grade 4
The Changing Me. . .
What’s Happening?
Class guidelines:
▪ Giggling is OK

▪ Respect what others say

▪ Understand others’ feelings

▪ Discuss puberty topics responsibly outside the classroom

▪ There are no dumb questions

 3 major growth spurts

1. Conception to Birth

2. Birth to one year old

3. Puberty
 What is puberty?
• Time of rapid change from child to adult

• When the body reaches maturity

• Emotional changes occur

• Bodies develop and become fertile

What makes puberty start?
The pituitary gland sends a signal to the body to
produce the hormones that starts puberty.
What are the hormones?
• If you have ovaries, the pituitary gland sends a signal
to produce Estrogen.

• If you have testicles, the pituitary gland sends a

signal to produce Testosterone.
 When does puberty start?
Puberty starts anywhere between the ages of 8-15.

• Everyone is different
• Everyone will start and finish at a different time
• This is normal
How does the body
change during puberty?
What changes happen
due to testosterone?
▪ Hair growth (pubic area, under the armpits, and on
the face)
▪ May get more hair on arms, legs, chest and back
▪ Voice gets deeper
▪ Penis and testicles grow
▪ Sperm is produced
▪ May have mood swings, sexual thoughts and feelings
What other changes happen?
▪ Grow taller
▪ Bones grow
▪ Muscles grow
▪ Weight gain is normal
▪ Hair and skin become oily and you may get pimples
▪ Body sweats more
What changes happen
due to estrogen?
▪ Hair grows under armpits and in pubic area
▪ Hair on arms and legs may grow darker
▪ Breast and nipples get larger
▪ Body sweats more
▪ Menstruation (period) begins
▪ May have mood swings, sexual thoughts and feelings
What other changes
happen?
▪ Grow taller
▪ Bones grow
▪ Hips get wider and more curvy
▪ Weight gain is normal
▪ Hair and skin become oily and you may get pimples
▪ Voice gets a little deeper
What are some of the
feelings you might
experience?
What are other changes
you might experience?
Where to get more
information?
▪ Parents or other family members
▪ Other trusted adults (teachers)
▪ Health professionals
Questions?