1. Introduction

In lesson 1 students learned all about appreciating their own good qualities and values. The students learned that appreciating themselves the way they are, helps them to be more confident and to have a higher self-esteem. But not only their personality defines who they are.

In this lesson students learn that their appearance is also part of who they are and they find that their appearance changes during puberty. They become adults, their bodies mature: a girl’s body turns into that of a woman, and a boy’s into that of a man. On the outside, but also on the inside. Some physical characteristics are similar for both sexes (becoming taller, growing pubic hair), others are different (broad shoulders, low voice, and beard for men and wider hips, breasts and menstrual cycle for women). Their reproductive organs develop as well so they become fertile and are awakening sexually.

Puberty is a phase in life all young people go through, all at a different pace. They will learn that body changes might make them proud or uncertain sometimes, and that peers, media and cultural norms can impact their own body self-image. In this lesson students also learn how to cope with uncertainties and how they can appreciate the beauty of their own unique body.

Key Messages

1. Our body changes during puberty: boys become men and girls become women.
2. The moment we start to change differs for everybody, girls are usually earlier than boys.
3. The way we change also differs: we have unique bodies and unique personalities. This is the way we were created.
4. You can feel insecure sometimes, but remember we should all be proud of who we are!

2. Lesson Aims

1. Students explore how their body changes during puberty, that this happens to everyone at their own pace and that it is a natural part of growing up.
2. Students gain insight into the influence of peers, media and cultural norms on their own perceived body image and how to respond to negative feedback on their changing bodies.
3. Students understand the importance of asking for help or support from a peer and/or trusted adult when having questions or when feeling insecure or uncomfortable about these changes.

3. Main Topics

The most important concepts being discussed in this lesson are:

1. Puberty
2. Adolescence
3. Changes of body and reproductive organs
4. Self- esteem
5. Media
6. Personality