Helping your children understand changes at puberty
(Information taken from the SCARF Resources)
Children following the SCARF programme will already have a good understanding of their bodies, and how and why they change as they go through puberty.
For this age group it's often about building on that information and developing further knowledge about the emotional changes that take place. This should take place alongside learning the reasons for the changes in more detail, including developing an understanding of how people are able to reproduce - if they want to - when they’re adults.
Parents are recognised as children's primary educators for Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), yet many feel unprepared. Often this is because they had poor RSE themselves - from home, school, or both.
The following information and resources are designed to support you in helping your child navigate the emotional and physical changes that take place during puberty, as well as learning about sex in the context of safe, loving relationships.
Questions Children Ask and How to Answer Them by Dr M Stoppard
Speakeasy: Talking with your Children about Growing Up by fpa (Family Planning Association)
(These are hyperlinked - click on the website name)
Amaze.org- Puberty section (Age 9+)
BBC Teach –The Big Talk (age 9-12)
Male puberty - including wet dreams
Outspoken - RSE worksheets
NHS Puberty
Sitting in car YouTube Channel: how to talk comfortably with your kids about sex and consent
Talking to your child about online sexual harassment- a guide for parents
Draw around bodies and label parts, using correct words (and family names) and their purpose
Put together your own ‘puberty bag’ from household items. Discuss each one and why it’s used, e.g.
deodorant, razors, tampons/pads, shower gel, washing powder, tissues, hair gel.
Same as above for contents of handbag; items support discussions about growing up
Have an old shoe box, or similar, where children could post questions that they might not be able to
ask you verbally.
Praise and thank them for their questions. Try to answer them using the web-pages above to help
provide age-appropriate, fact-based answers.