Lesson 15: Cramps

Objectives:

Students will:

• Recognize that when a girl has her period she may experience cramps.
• Describe things that can help a girl feel better if she has cramps.
• Realize that girls can continue their normal lifestyle when they are having their periods.

Vocabulary: cramps

Materials: Picture Cards 26 and 27, heating pad, hot water bottle

Procedure:

1. Read Picture Card 26 and go over discussion questions.
2. If a teacher believes it's helpful, she can show students an actual heating pad or hot water bottle and show how one can be placed on the abdomen to help cramps feel better.
3. Discuss whether a girl should tell others that she has cramps. Emphasize that having a period is private and therefore cramps are private too. A girl can talk to a friend about cramps when they are in a private place.
4. Dramatic Play - Have each girl act out what she would say if she had bad cramps and wanted help. What could a girl say to:
1. her mother
2. her teacher
3. the school nurse
4. her aunt, grandmother
5. Read Picture Card 27 and go over discussion questions.
6. Emphasize that many girls have no cramps and many girls have slight cramps that go away on their own. Cramps are not a problem for most girls.