"Puberty...Yes I Said the P Word!" (Girls)

At the end of this course girls will have an understanding of the changes that their bodies undergo during puberty and have an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers that will empower them with knowledge to help them feel confident during puberty. The course begins with an understanding of the post-pubertal female body, then explains the transition period that takes them from pre-pubertal, through puberty, to the post-pubertal female body. The course will end with a question and answer session and a limited overview of puberty in boys to address the curiosity with accurate and appropriate answers.  

Students need no prior knowledge to take this course. Emphasis will be placed on explaining in a simple manner to ensure understanding and on the fact that there is a wide range of normal puberty. This is to help alleviate any anxiety or lack of confidence/self-esteem during puberty.

Students can expect class to be fun, casual and a comfortable learning environment. Although questions and comments are very much encouraged, students should feel free to talk as little or as much as they want. My teaching style will be conversational with an emphasis on ensuring understanding by all learners. I will use pictures, slides and of course games for review purposes and to add the fun! All classes will start with 5 minutes of introductions/how are we all doing today followed by the main topics to be covered for that session with review games pitched throughout and sessions will end with 5 minutes of students working together to teach me what they all learnt today. 

Learning will take place across three sessions as detailed below.

Week 1: Organs, Functions and Relevant Hormones
Students will learn about the structure of the breasts, vagina, ovaries, uterus, their function and relevant hormones such as Oestrogen and Progesterone in the post-pubertal female body.
We will cover:
1) The breast as made up of breast tissue and fat, its aesthetic function and its ability to supply milk. 
2) The vagina as distinct from the urethra (the outlet for urine); the vagina in its function as an outlet for menstruation and babies. (This is not a sexual education class and so I will not be teaching about the vagina in relation to the sexual act however I will give age appropriate and medically focused answers if asked).
3) The ovaries as the creator of ovules (eggs) and their importance in the creation of the foetus. The role of the ovaries and ovules in the menstrual cycle from creation to ovulation to disintegration. 
4) The uterus as a strong muscle, as a home for a foetus and its role the menstrual cycle; why the blood, where it comes from and why there could be pain.   
5) What is oestrogen? What is progesterone? What do they do in the body? These will be explored in relation to the menstrual cycle and symptoms that can be experienced including emotional changes. 

Week 2: The Transition through Puberty: What, When, How, Why
We will discuss the what, when, how and why of 3 the three main tenants of puberty; breast development, pubic hair and menstruation as well as the growth spurt. We will draw on knowledge learnt in Week 1. A major component of this class is exploring the wide range of normal puberty.  
We will cover what, when, how and why along with the range of normal for the following topics:
1)The development of the breast bud, areola and nipple. 
2)The growth of hair in the pubic area and armpit
3)Menstruation (The period)
4) The Growth Spurt

Week 3: What's Happening with the Boys and Q&A
The course will end with a limited overview of puberty in boys to address the curiosity with accurate and appropriate answers. This will be followed by a question and answer session. Finally, students will receive a Puberty handbook (pdf) to keep!

The overview of puberty in boys will include:
1) Identification of the main changes that they undergo: Enlargement of penis and testicles, hair growth, deepening of voice, growth spurt.
2) What is Testosterone? What does it do in the body in both boys and girls? What symptoms/effects can it cause during male puberty including emotional changes. 
3) Compare and Contrast Puberty in Boys and Girls

No prior knowledge is required. If you want to understand the pubertal transition then this class is for you! All teaching will be done in a fun and age appropriate manner. The human body is amazing to learn about at any age.