Human Development – JSS1 Basic Science Lesson Note (First Term)

Puberty is the period during which growing boys and girls reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction. It usually starts between ages 8 and 13 in girls and ages 9 and 15 in boys. Its signs include changes in body shape, voice and hair growth. Good personal hygiene helps young people handle these changes.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define puberty, menstruation, menarche, the menstrual cycle and adolescence;
2. list pubertal changes in boys;
3. list pubertal changes in girls;
4. state some concerns of adolescents;
5. describe ways of handling pubertal changes through personal care.

What is puberty?

Puberty is the period during which growing boys and girls reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction. Usually, puberty starts between ages 8 and 13 in girls and ages 9 and 15 in boys.

What changes happen during puberty?

Pubertal changes in boys

1. Broadening of the chest and shoulders.
2. Deepening of the voice.
3. Growth of moustache and beard.
4. Growth of hair in the armpit and chest.
5. Growth of hair in the pubic region.
6. Increase in the size of the genitals (i.e. penis and testicles).
7. Rapid growth in height.
8. Wet dream (i.e. an involuntary discharge of semen through the penis).

Pubertal changes in girls

1. Increase in breast size.
2. Growth of hair in the armpit.
3. Widening of hips.
4. Rapid growth in height.
5. Growth of hair in the pubic region.
6. Menstruation begins.

What is menstruation?

Menstruation is the monthly flow of blood through the vagina of a female child of child-bearing age. The first occurrence of menstruation is called menarche.

What is the menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of a woman’s menstruation to the day before her next menstruation.

What is adolescence?

Adolescence is the period between puberty and adulthood. It is the period in human growth and development that occurs after childhood and before adulthood, from ages 10 to 19. An adolescent is a person who is going through adolescence.

Concerns at adolescence

1. Self-consciousness.
2. Struggle for acceptance by the peer group.
3. Development of sexual or romantic feelings, i.e. sexual attraction to the opposite sex.
4. Concern about the size of the body.
5. Increased concern to be independent.

How can pubertal changes be handled?

Pubertal changes should be handled with confidence and maturity. Personal care during puberty includes the following:

1. Bathing at least once daily.
2. Frequent washing of hands, especially after using the toilet.
3. Maintaining a tidy appearance.
4. Changing sanitary pads regularly during menstruation.
5. Observing high personal hygiene.

Evaluation

1. What is puberty?
2. Are you a boy or a girl? Mention five pubertal changes in your gender.