Changes of Puberty
AdvancedIn puberty our body, feelings and social life all change; everyone develops at their own pace — accept the differences and ask for help when in doubt.
- Puberty is a necessary stage: body, mind and social life all change.
- Everyone develops at a different time — do not compare, never tease.
- Bathe daily and change clothes often to keep good hygiene.
文體小知識：說明文把知識講得清清楚楚。這一篇用科學和客觀的角度，介紹青春期在生理、心理和社交三方面的轉變，幫你安心長大。
§Text Passage
1Growing from a child into an adult, we all pass through an important stage called puberty. During this time the body releases hormones that slowly change our looks, body shape, moods and feelings. Puberty is a necessary part of growing up; everyone goes through it, and knowing about it helps us stay calm when the changes come.
2Physically, the most obvious change is growing taller and heavier. Boys grow a moustache and their voices become deeper; girls' breasts begin to develop and they start to have periods. Both boys and girls grow body hair, sweat more and sometimes get pimples on the face. All these changes are normal and show the body is growing healthily.
3In our minds, feelings may become unstable: sometimes excited, sometimes cross, without knowing why. We begin to care about our looks and what others think, want to be treated like grown-ups, and wish for our own space and privacy. These are common feelings in puberty, and we slowly get used to them.
4Socially, we value friends more and more and enjoy activities with classmates; friends' opinions sometimes carry more weight than parents' words. We begin learning to get along with different people and build our own friendships. Still, not every friend's idea is right, so we must also listen to the sensible guidance of parents and teachers and learn to tell right from wrong.
5Everyone starts puberty at a different time: some shoot up at ten, others not until fourteen — all normal. There is no need to compare ourselves with others, and we should never laugh at classmates who develop earlier or later. If we have questions or worries about our changing bodies, we can ask parents, teachers, school social workers or health professionals.
1Summary 重點摘要
In puberty our body, feelings and social life all change; everyone develops at their own pace — accept the differences and ask for help when in doubt.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
The stage of growth when a child's body and mind change on the way to adulthood.
Chemicals made by the body that drive the changes of puberty.
The process of the body growing and maturing.
Changes in the body, such as growing taller or growing body hair.
Changes in feelings and thoughts, such as mood swings or caring what others think.
A normal monthly body process that girls begin to have in puberty.
Small inflamed spots caused by extra oil blocking the skin, common in puberty.
Habits that keep the body clean, such as daily bathing and clean clothes.
Asking trusted adults or professionals when we have questions or difficulties.
Accepting your own looks and pace of growth instead of comparing with others.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: Understand that puberty is a necessary stagePuberty is the transition from childhood to adulthood, usually between about ten and sixteen, and everyone starts at a different time. During this stage the brain sends signals for the body to release hormones, bringing a series of physical and emotional changes. These changes are not illness but proof of growth, like a seed slowly becoming a tree. Knowing this, we stay calm when changes come and welcome each stage of growing up.
- Step 2: Learn the physical changesBoth boys and girls go through physical changes in puberty: growing taller and heavier, growing body hair, sweating more, and sometimes getting pimples as the skin makes more oil. Boys grow a moustache and their voices deepen; girls' breasts develop and periods begin. These secondary characteristics show the body is developing at its normal pace. Learn about them with a scientific and hygienic attitude — there is nothing to be shy about, and never turn someone's body changes into a joke.
- Step 3: Understand the emotional changesThe mental changes are just as clear. Shifting hormones affect moods: we may feel excited one minute and cross the next, lose temper over small things, then regret it. We start to care about our looks and what others think, want respect, and wish for private space. All this is normal. We can learn to notice our feelings and express and manage them through exercise, music or keeping a diary, becoming the master of our emotions.
- Step 4: Know the social changesSocially we value friends more and more, enjoy talking and playing with classmates, and friendship becomes more important than before. This is a good chance to learn to get along with people, but be careful: not every friend's idea is right. If someone urges you to smoke, skip school or mock others, that is not what a true friend does. Learn to think independently and hold to what is right. Keep talking patiently with your parents too — though we long for independence, their experience is still worth hearing.
- Step 5: Keep good personal hygieneIn puberty we sweat more and the skin makes more oil; without good cleaning this easily causes body odour and pimples. Bathe daily, change into clean clothes and socks often, and wash as soon as possible after sports; wash the face morning and night with a mild cleanser, never squeeze pimples, so they do not get inflamed and leave scars; wash the hair regularly. Girls who have started their periods should learn to use sanitary products correctly and keep clean. Good habits bring a fresh body and more confidence.
- Step 6: Accept your own and others' differencesEveryone develops at a different time: some pupils are already tall in Primary 5, others only start to change in secondary school; girls generally start earlier than boys. Such differences are completely normal, like flowers blooming in different seasons. Never use body changes to laugh at classmates, and do not feel inferior if you develop a little later. Your body sets its own rhythm; with a balanced diet, enough sleep and regular exercise it will grow healthily — rushing will not help, so wait with peace of mind.
- Step 7: Ask for help when in doubtHaving questions about puberty is normal, and the best answer is to seek help. Ask your parents or elders, who have been through it themselves; teachers, guidance officers and school social workers are trained professionals who are glad to answer; if the body feels unwell — for example very painful periods or badly inflamed pimples — tell your parents so a doctor can check. Never rely only on internet rumours or guesses among classmates; correct knowledge is what lets us grow up with peace of mind.
5Worked example Example
Example: Wai finds himself shorter than most classmates, while some girls in class have already started puberty. He worries that he is not normal. How would you help him analyse and comfort him?
- First accept that his worry is understandable, then explain: everyone starts developing at a different time, and a gap of a few years is still normal.
- Explain what affects growth: heredity, nutrition, sleep and exercise all matter; developing later does not mean anything is wrong.
- Suggest good habits: a balanced diet, early nights and plenty of exercise give the body the best conditions to grow.
- Remind him not to compare with classmates and not to put up with teasing about his size; if still worried, his parents can take him to a doctor or he can talk to the school social worker.
- Answer: His worry is understandable, but everyone develops at a different time — earlier or later is normal, so there is no need to compare. He should keep a balanced diet, enough sleep and regular exercise; if still anxious, his parents can arrange a doctor's check, or he can talk to teachers or the school social worker and trust his own pace of growth.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What does the body release in puberty to drive the changes?
Q2Does everyone start puberty at the same time?
Q3What mental changes are common in puberty?
Q4Who can we ask about body changes?
Q5How should we treat classmates who develop more slowly?
8Recap Recap
- Puberty is a necessary stage: body, mind and social life all change.
- Everyone develops at a different time — do not compare, never tease.
- Bathe daily and change clothes often to keep good hygiene.
- Mood swings are normal; learn to express and manage feelings.
- When in doubt or worried, ask parents, teachers or social workers.