Objectives:
Students will:
- Accept the normal differences in growth and development among boys.
Vocabulary: puberty
Materials: Picture Card 2, yardstick or tape measure, chalkboard, chalk
Procedure:
- Read Picture Card 2 and go over discussion questions.
- Measure each student's height now and in 6 months. Or if records are available find out height of each student last year and compare it to present measurement. Mark both heights of each student on the chalkboard to show his growth. The purpose is to show them that growth takes place before, during and until the end of puberty. (Include students who are non-ambulatory in this activity in a sensitive way acknowledging that growth in their height is taking place although it is not as noticeable from a wheelchair.)
- Have boys ask their fathers (or other adult male in their life) how old they were when they finished growing in height. Draw this simple chart on the chalkboard. As each student names someone and what age they finished growing, put a checkmark next to that number. If it is a small group the teacher should have a list of other examples to help fill in the chart. Talk about how all these men look now. Emphasize that boys grow at different ages and that this is normal. All boys are special regardless of what age they go through puberty. Developmentally this is the time that boys really want to be just like one another, yet it is the time in their lives when they are actually the most different from one another physically. That's why it is so important to emphasize normal variations in growth and development.
- Additional Information. Have students guess which body parts grow first. (feet and hands) Ask them how they will know when this growth is taking place. (They will grow out of their shoes more quickly than usual and they will probably bump into things with their feet and hands more often because they are not used to the new size of their hands and feet.)
Teacher Notes: If the student's disability or prescribed medication will have any impact on his development, the student should be informed.
Teacher Note: There are situations where a boy's growth and development may not be 'normal'. If a teacher becomes aware that a boy is showing signs of puberty before the age of 9 or shows no signs of having begun puberty by the age of 14, the teacher should encourage parents to talk to their pediatrician or family physician.