A changing body
Puberty is a set of physical changes driven by hormones, running on wildly different timetables for different people. Being early or late is normal.
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the changing adolescent body and personal hygiene
Key learning points
- • What changes
- • Hygiene, practically
- • Periods
This lesson at a glance
- 20 minutes
- 20 parts to scroll through
- 4 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 20
Visual introductionPicture this
A changing body
Puberty is a set of physical changes driven by hormones, running on wildly different timetables for different people. Being early or late is normal.
In a nutshell
Understand the changing adolescent body and personal hygiene
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 20
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · What changes
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 20
Learn
What changes
Growth spurts, body hair, changes in skin and sweat, voice changes, breast development, periods and erections and ejaculation are all typical parts of adolescent development. The order and timing vary between individuals, and comparing timetables is not useful.
Reset break
Part 4 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 20
Learn
Hygiene, practically
More active sweat glands mean daily washing, clean clothes and, for most people, deodorant. Skin changes are hormonal, not a sign of being dirty; gentle washing twice a day helps and a pharmacist can advise if acne is persistent or distressing.
Quick check
Part 6 of 20
Quick check
Part 7 of 20
Reset break
Part 8 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 20
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Periods
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 20
Learn
Periods
Periods usually start between about nine and fifteen, and cycles are often irregular at first. Pads, tampons and period pants are all options. Severe pain that stops you doing normal things is worth seeing a GP about — it is not something to simply endure.
Quick check
Part 11 of 20
Reset break
Part 12 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 13 of 20
Explore the idea
Part 14 of 20
Worked example
Worked example: when to ask for help
Normal: spots, a growth spurt out of step with friends, an irregular early cycle. Worth asking about: pain that stops you attending activities, a change that worries you, or feeling distressed about your body. The rule is simple — if it is affecting daily life, ask a GP, school nurse or trusted adult rather than waiting.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 20
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Reset break
Part 16 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 4 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 17 of 20
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Growth spurts, body hair, changes in skin and sweat, voice changes, breast development, periods and erections and ejaculation are all typical parts of ____ development.
Skin ____ are hormonal, not a sign of being dirty; gentle washing twice a day helps and a pharmacist can advise if acne is persistent or distressing.
Challenge round
Part 18 of 20
Game · Recall cards
What drives the changes of puberty?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 19 of 20
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: A changing body
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What drives the changes of puberty?
2. Is being early or late to puberty a problem?
3. What causes acne in adolescence?
4. When should period pain be discussed with a GP?
Lesson round-up
Part 20 of 20
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
Not sat
Games
Not played
Points this lesson
0
Best run
0 in a row
Luna: 0 out of 4 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 20 · Watch & discover