Puberty

Stages of body development: Puberty (7-12 years)

1. What is puberty?

2. What changes occur during puberty?

✔ In girls:

✔ For boys:

Emotional changes in girls and boys

3.Why do these changes happen?

4. What is normal and what is not?

Stages of body development: Puberty (7-12 years)

Pubertatea este o etapă naturală prin care trec toți copiii atunci când corpul lor începe să se transforme în corp de adult. Aceste schimbări pot începe devreme, chiar în jurul vârstei de 8-9 ani, dar la unii copii apar mai târziu. Fiecare copil crește în ritmul său, iar asta este perfect normal.

1. What is puberty?

✔ Puberty is the period when the body begins to change to become an adult body. These changes are caused by special substances in the body called hormones.✔ Girls and boys go through puberty, but their changes can be different.✔ Puberty does not have a fixed moment for everyone. Some children start earlier (8-9 years), others later (12-14 years). All variants are normal.

📌 How do we explain?

✅ "Think of your body as a seed growing into a tree. Not all seeds grow at the same time, but they all grow into big, strong trees.”

🚫 What should we NOT do?

• Let's compare one child with another. Each person develops at his own pace. • Making puberty seem strange or scary.

2. What changes occur during puberty?

Puberty affects the body, mind and emotions.

Physical changes in girls and boys

✔ In girls:

Breast growth

• The first visible sign of puberty is the development of breasts.• At first, as small lump may appear under the nipple, which may be tender to the touch - this is perfectly normal!• As the breasts grow, they may be different sizes (one may be larger than the other) – and this is normal!• Breasts continue to grow and can fully mature only at 18-20 years.

Body hair growth

• Pubic hair (in the intimate area) and armpit hair appear.• Some girls also notice darker hair on their legs and arms.• If you want, you can choose to epilate, but it is not mandatory - it is a personal choice

Body shape change

• As you grow, your hips become wider and your waist more defined.• You may notice weight gain – this is completely normal, as your body stores fat to support maturation.• Buttocks and thighs may become rounder and skin may become smoother.

Growth in height

• In girls, the period of rapid growth begins before or around the first period.• You may notice that your legs and arms grow faster than the rest of your body, which can make you feel a little "uncoordinated" for a while.• After the first period, growth slows down, but you can still add a few centimeters until about 16-18 years

The onset of menstruation

• Menstruation is a sign that your ovaries have started releasing eggs and your body is able to support a pregnancy.• In the beginning, the menstrual cycle can be irregular – that is, menstruation can come at different time intervals (sometimes every 28 days, sometimes earlier or later).• In general, menstruation occurs between the ages of 9 and 15 and is a normal process.

Skin changes - The appearance of acne

• Due to hormones, the skin produces more sebum, which can lead to acne (pimples).• Acne can appear on the face, chest, back or shoulder.• Washing your face daily with a suitable gel and using care products helps to keep your skin clean.• If the acne is severe, a dermatologist can recommend an appropriate treatment.

Body odor

• Sweat glands become more active during puberty, which can make sweat heavier and smellier.• To avoid unpleasant odors, it is good to wash daily and use a deodorant or antiperspirant.

✔ For boys:

Growth of genital organs

• The first noticeable change in puberty is the growth of the testicles and scrotum. • After a while, the penis begins to grow in length and then in thickness. • The scrotum becomes thinner, darker and hangs lower. • Spontaneous erections occur more often and may be caused by hormonal changes for no apparent reason. • Boys begin to produce sperm, which means they become capable of reproduction.

Body hair growth

• Pubic hair begins to grow around the genitals, being fine and sparse at first, then becoming thicker and curlier. • Underarm hair appears, and as puberty progresses, it can also appear on the chest, arms, legs and even the back. • Some boys start to develop facial hair (mustache and beard), but the pace differs for everyone. • Shaving is a personal choice – some start shaving earlier, others later.

Voice change

• The larynx grows, which causes the voice to become thicker and deeper. • The voice may be unstable for a while, "jumping" between low and high tones. • Adam's apple becomes more visible on the neck.

Muscle gain and body modification

• Shoulders begin to grow and the body becomes more athletic and defined. • Muscles begin to develop, especially if the boy plays sports. • Body fat redistributes, making boys look more "angular" compared to girls.

Skin development and sweating

• Sebaceous glands produce more oil, which can cause acne on the face, back and chest. • Perspiration becomes more abundant and body odor intensifies. • Daily hygiene (shower, deodorant, face wash) becomes very important.

Breast tenderness (temporary gynecomastia)

• Some boys notice slight breast swelling or tenderness. • This is caused by hormonal fluctuations and disappears on its own within a few months or years. • It can be an embarrassing subject, but it's a normal part of puberty.

Emotional changes in girls and boys

Hormonal and emotional changes in girls

• Estrogen and progesterone influence body development and emotions. • Sudden changes in mood, irritability or emotional sensitivity may occur. • Romantic attraction becomes stronger and the first feelings of falling in love may appear. • It's normal to be curious about sexuality, but it's important to have the right information.

Hormonal and emotional changes in boys

• High testosterone levels can lead to mood swings and intense emotions. • Irritability, frustration, romantic attraction or even anxiety may occur. • Thoughts related to sexuality are becoming more common and it is important to have fair and open education on this subject.

📌 How do we explain?

✅ "Your body changes because you get bigger. These changes are normal and happen to everyone, but at different times."✅ "Some changes may be surprising, but they are part of your natural development."

🚫 What should we NOT do?

• Make children feel ashamed of their body changes. • Let's ignore their questions about these changes.

3.Why do these changes happen?

✔ What children need to know:

✅ All these changes are caused by hormones, substances in the body that tell the body to grow.✅ The brain sends signals to the body to produce these hormones.✅ It is a natural process and one should not try to stop or speed it up.

📌 How do we explain?

✅ "Think of hormones as messengers telling your body to grow."

🚫 What should we NOT do?

• Making children believe that their changes are wrong or abnormal.

4. What is normal and what is not?

✔ What is normal during puberty:

✅ The body changes at its own pace. There is no such thing as "too early" or "too late."✅ Having strong emotions or feeling that you are changing.✅ Have questions about your body.

✔ What is NOT normal and must be discussed with an adult:

🚫 If severe pain occurs or something seems unusual.🚫 If you feel very sad or scared for no reason.🚫 If someone tells you that your changes are "weird" - every person is different.

📌 How do we explain?

✅ "If you have any concerns about your body, don't be afraid to ask an adult."

🚫 What should we NOT do?

• Avoid conversations about puberty. Children will look elsewhere for answers.

✔ Puberty is a normal stage of every person's life.

✔ The changes may be different for everyone, but they are all normal.

✔ If you have questions or concerns, it's best to talk to a trusted adult.

💡 Puberty is the beginning of the transformation towards maturity. With the right information, children can better understand what is happening to them and get through this stage without fear!