Puberty talk

[heatherrmp, ASN, BSN, RN]

Good morning! Happy first week back to school to those of us lucky enough to go back immediately after the New Year *crying*.  I had a 5th grade teacher approach me about doing the puberty talk. She said the previous school nurse (who had been here for 45 years) would delegate the talk to the teachers, however she would always have packs of deodorants and pads for the students. This is my first year with school nursing (technically the assistant nurse, but the head nurse has only been here for a year and she did COVID tracing last year) and I'm not sure what resources are available for this talk. I was on the Always website and they state they no longer offer the pamphlets and freebies, but they make their educational materials available online. Does anyone have any insight to another company? What do you do for the dreaded puberty talk? 

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

First off, about a month before it is scheduled to take place, I would send a letter home to all families to make them aware of it and that we need a call from the family if they want to opt their student out. I let them know I am happy to share the materials with them ahead of time if they would like to see it.

In previous years, we gave each student a packet of information and went through each page together; And while we have always done boys and girls separate (they do each learn about both sexes), we are working towards integrating the classes since it gets tricky with the trans students.  The packets have a social contract (essentially a "what happens in puberty ED stays in puberty ED" and no teasing others about their questions/answers), an outline of physical changes, diagrams for both male and female internal and external anatomy, and a sheet about social changes that happen during these integral years, along with quizzes for the end of each class. Each group got two 45 minute sessions.

I would often start out by doing the social contract (kids read each line out loud), and each kid needs to write down in their folder a trusted adult (but not a sibling who is under 21) who they would feel comfortable asking questions of. I then show the P&G video that matches what we're learning that day, and then draw a stick figure on the white board - have the class give the stick figure a name - and have them tell me what body changes happen - and I draw them on the stick figure (I.e. for pubic hair I draw a big squiggly mess just above the legs). We go over the external & internal anatomy pages and give definitions for each body part. 

We then have a more in-depth discussion about erections/ejaculation in people with memberes/testes and the menstrual cycle for people who menstruate. 

Towards the end, we do the quizzes and go over them together.

I also give them the opportunity via index cards to ask private, anonymous questions and try to get to the answers for the appropriate ones at the next class.

I made myself an outline to keep me on track when I've had to teach in the past, if you want to PM me, I'd be happy to share it with you!

[cowboysandangels, BSN]

k1p1ssk said:

First off, about a month before it is scheduled to take place, I would send a letter home to all families to make them aware of it and that we need a call from the family if they want to opt their student out. I let them know I am happy to share the materials with them ahead of time if they would like to see it.

In previous years, we gave each student a packet of information and went through each page together; And while we have always done boys and girls separate (they do each learn about both sexes), we are working towards integrating the classes since it gets tricky with the trans students.  The packets have a social contract (essentially a "what happens in puberty ED stays in puberty ED" and no teasing others about their questions/answers), an outline of physical changes, diagrams for both male and female internal and external anatomy, and a sheet about social changes that happen during these integral years, along with quizzes for the end of each class. Each group got two 45 minute sessions.

I would often start out by doing the social contract (kids read each line out loud), and each kid needs to write down in their folder a trusted adult (but not a sibling who is under 21) who they would feel comfortable asking questions of. I then show the P&G video that matches what we're learning that day, and then draw a stick figure on the white board - have the class give the stick figure a name - and have them tell me what body changes happen - and I draw them on the stick figure (I.e. for pubic hair I draw a big squiggly mess just above the legs). We go over the external & internal anatomy pages and give definitions for each body part. 

We then have a more in-depth discussion about erections/ejaculation in people with memberes/testes and the menstrual cycle for people who menstruate. 

Towards the end, we do the quizzes and go over them together.

I also give them the opportunity via index cards to ask private, anonymous questions and try to get to the answers for the appropriate ones at the next class.

I made myself an outline to keep me on track when I've had to teach in the past, if you want to PM me, I'd be happy to share it with you!

Ditto!!  I also try to hold the class right before a break (ie: Spring Break).  I have found that after the class the students get a bit overzealous and so the break gives them time to calm down before returning.  What I mean by overzealous is, for example, the next day I usually have 20 5th grade girls in my office with "cramps".

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

So, I teach health for grades 5-12 in my school and have for years. Grades 6-8 focus on puberty and comprehensive sex education. Grade 5 is hygiene and puberty. 

I teach for 8-9 classes. We send out a detailed electronic official letter to families about a week before the class launches (we teach it during PE in the Winter), but do put in on the radar with families at the beginning of the year when it is happening. 

I've not had a student opt out, but do get lots of questions from families. 

My 5th grade curriculum was built with a lot of different resources. I will say I don't use videos to teach this subject, it is more interactive and discussion based (using Social Emotional Learning Skills). 

If you have a small budget here, explore https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/ for some awesome puberty curriculum as well. I purchase and used resources from there to build the 5th grade curriculum.

For grades 6-8, I use Get Real: Sex Education That Works (https://www.getrealeducation.org/), but that one is pricey and was created by a division of Planned Parenthood. I'm in MA, but I know comprehensive sex ED doesn't fly in other states.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

used to be that we could get a really nice package from P&G yearly with a video and samples for the kiddos.  That hasn't been offered in quite some time, from what I've seen.  P&G/ always SAYS that they still have video resources available on their YouTube page, but the offerings are mostly female centered and not nearly as focused as the older videos.  If you need the older videos, I put them on YouTube.  I'd be happy to share it if anyone is interested.