Audience: 5th and 6th Grades

Time: 50-80 min. 3-5 days

Materials: Manila Folders; writing tool; color markers; puberty handouts

Enduring Understanding:

1. Puberty happens to everybody.

2. I will be able to recognize signs of puberty through physical and emotional changes.

3. I know at least 3 words that can help me be the best I can be in all relationships.

Essential Questions:

1. What are some common signs of Puberty?

2. How does Puberty happen?

3. Who will experience Puberty?

4. What are 3 words that can help in all kinds of relationships?

Assessments:

• Open discussion and notes

• Participation

• Finding the good

Summary

Students are provided with age-appropriate, medically accurate information to help them better cope with the ongoing physical, emotional, and social changes they experience during adolescence. Students learn medically accurate language that will help and promote healthy relationships with family and friends. Students will learn that everyone goes through Puberty and that sometimes it can be challenging physically and emotionally. Lessons are taught through writing, listening and seeing correct terminology and common signs that youth between the ages of 9-16 begin to experience. “Different is Normal” is emphasized throughout lessons. Lessons insure that Puberty is an essential phase the body goes through to continue to grow, develop and become a parent one day, if that is desired. Puberty is the signal to recognize that everybody has a reproduction system. These lessons provide skills and information to help youth make responsible decisions within the framework of their own family values and in the context of promoting healthy relationships. Throughout the class, students are welcome to ask questions and encouraged to discuss what they’ve learned with their parents and/or other trusted adults.

Lessons are in accordance with the National and Hawaii Health Education Content and Performance Standards, Board of Education Policy 103.5 which mandates comprehensive sexual health education and Hawaii Revised Statutes § 321-11.1.

Current National statistics show that 1 out of every 4 girls, and 1 out of every 6 boys, will be sexually abused before the age of 18.

Sexual Abuse does occur and is a real risk for our keiki.

85% of sexual abuse is committed by someone the victim knows (statistic higher in Hawaii).

Education and communication about personal safety with children by parents/caregivers can help reduce the risk of sexual assault.

Studies suggest that the time of greatest vulnerability to experience childhood sexual assault is between the ages of 8 and 12.

Knowledge can empower children.

Parents/caregivers can teach their children basic safety tips they can follow:

• To feel good about themselves and know they are loved, valued and deserve to be safe.

• The difference between safe and not safe touches.

• The difference between comfortable and uncomfortable situations.

• The proper names for all body parts, so they can communicate clearly.

• That safety rules apply to everyone, not just strangers.

• That their body belongs to them and nobody has the right to touch them or hurt them.

• That it is okay to say “NO” to requests that make them feel uncomfortable, even if the person is older, a family member, or family friend.

• To tell you if any adult asks them to keep a secret.

• To tell you if any other child/friend asks them to keep a secret about touching private parts.

• To tell you if they see or feel something is frightening and/or uncomfortable.

• That it is not their fault, they are not bad, and not to blame if sexual abuse happens to them.

• That you will believe them if they disclose to you. They can count on you.

• Decide together who are trusted adults in their life they can trust and tell besides you.

Responding When A Child Tells You About Abuse

This is a very important time for the parent/caregiver to keep composure. It is natural to feel anger, outrage, fear, confusion, however, it is most important to keep the child’s feelings and welfare as the priority. Your reaction may make that child feel further guilt or fear they have done something wrong, because they might know and have feelings for the offender.

• Go slowly, don’t ask too much too quickly.

• Stay calm.

• Keep focus on the child’s needs.

• Believe them, reassure the child that they are safe and that you are glad they told you.

• Keep questions simple, do not ask leading questions, do not pressure the child to answer, do not “interview” the child for facts and details.

• Assure the child it is not their fault, they are not in trouble.

• Assure them they have done the right thing by telling, and you will do your best to keep them safe. Do not make promises.

Resources and To Get Help:

• Maui Sexual Assault Center’s 24-hour Hotline (808) 873-8624

• Maui Sexual Assault Center (808) 877-6888

• Sex Abuse Treatment Center’s 24-hour Hotline (808) 524-7273

• Police Department 911 Delayed Reporting 244-6400

• National Sexual Assault Hotline (800) 656-4673

Online Resources:

www.hisaysnomore.org

www.sathawaii.com

www.childandfamilyservice.org

www.rainn.org

www.StopItNow.org

www.ncsby.org