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A Healthy Lesson: Adolescence
Growing up can be hard to do … or is it? Seems like it is going to happen physically whether we want or expect it to. As the old saying goes, what will be, will be. By having good communication between adult and child and by preparing with correct information instead of hearsay, the fear and ignorance can be avoided, as well as some of the poor choices that come from bad information.
Important: The following activities are mainly to spark communication. Each family and each child is different. This lesson deals with some of the basic changes that take place during puberty. It is up to the parent/guardian to decide when a child is ready to receive sex education information and how indepth.
1. With a parent or guardian, read a book or watch a video on the changes that will be taking place in your body as you go through adolescence. Keep the lines of communication open so that questions can be asked and answered in an open and honest manner.
2. Make a list of things you have heard about puberty. Find out whether the things on your list are correct or incorrect by talking to a parent, guardian, older sibling that has already gone through puberty, or your doctor.
3. Find out what the physical and emotional changes that can take place in girls during the ages of 8 – 13?
4. Find out what the physical and emotional changes that can take place in boys during the ages of 8-13?
5. What are the differences in the changes that you found out when doing activities number 3 and 4?
6. What are some of the ways that you can prepare for these changes? Think about nutritional needs, skin care, and personal hygiene.
7. Set up a personal care schedule and follow it. Including combing, brushing and washing and taking care of your hair; bathing; brushing your teeth; washing your face; and having regular health examinations.
8. Design a poster or T-shirt that will tell others why you feel good about being you.
9. Interview a family member(s) about what it was like for them when they reached puberty. You can talk about appearance, school, friends, dating, or any other information that is important to you.
10. Look through magazines or watch some television programs that show teenagers. Make a list of the characteristics and behavior of teenagers as shown in advertisements, articles, or show. Ask a teenager if your list is realistic.
11. Make a list of positive aspects of being a teenager. Make a list of the negative aspects of becoming a teenager. Compare the pros and cons of being a teenager.
12. Now that you have the basic facts, decide how this is going to affect you personally. How does this make you feel?
13. Do you think having this information is going to help you make wiser choices as a teenager?
14. What can be some of the consequences of not taking care of your body as it changes?
15. Make a list of the goals that you want to reach as an adolescent. Do you think these goals will change as you get older? Are any of these goals something that you can take with you into adulthood?
16. If you were a parent, how would you help your child go through puberty?