Growing Up Through Puberty
AdvancedIn puberty, bodies and feelings change; growing earlier or later is both normal. Balanced food, enough sleep, exercise and self-acceptance help us grow with confidence.
- Five stages: infancy → childhood → puberty → adulthood → old age.
- In puberty, hormones direct rapid growth; everyone changes.
- Four growth factors: heredity, nutrition, sleep and exercise.
文體小知識：說明文把成長的變化一一說明。這一篇用科學的眼光看青春期，幫你明白自己的身體和心情。
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1Life is like a long journey with five stages: infancy, childhood, puberty, adulthood and old age. A baby needs adults to feed and care for it; in childhood we learn to run, jump, read and study; in puberty the body grows quickly and gradually takes on an adult shape.
2Puberty usually arrives between about ten and eighteen years old. During this time the brain releases special hormones that direct the body to grow: both boys and girls grow taller and heavier, sweat glands become more active and skin turns oily; boys' shoulders broaden and voices deepen, while girls' figures fill out and voices stay higher.
3Feelings change too. In puberty we may be cheerful one moment and irritable the next, start caring about our looks and what others think, and long to make our own decisions like adults. These psychological changes are also part of growing up; when we share our feelings and listen to others, our mood settles more easily.
4Why is one classmate already much taller in Primary 5 while another is still small? Growth is shaped by four factors: heredity draws the basic blueprint — tall parents usually have taller children; nutrition supplies the building materials; growth hormones are released during sleep; and exercise makes bones and muscles stronger.
5Scientists find that the timing and speed of development differ from person to person; starting one or two years earlier or later is all normal. Like flowers that bloom at different times, all will blossom in the end. Being shorter or taller than classmates for now is nothing to worry about, and teasing others is unkind; accepting differences and appreciating ourselves is the mature way.
6Puberty is the necessary road to adulthood. When bodily changes puzzle you, ask your parents, teachers or the school nurse. With a balanced diet, enough sleep every night and daily exercise, the body grows healthily. Greet puberty with a positive mind, and you will find growing up full of pleasant surprises.
1Summary 重點摘要
In puberty, bodies and feelings change; growing earlier or later is both normal. Balanced food, enough sleep, exercise and self-acceptance help us grow with confidence.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
The stage between childhood and adulthood when body and mind change clearly.
The first stage of life, when a baby depends entirely on adults.
The stage after infancy, when children learn to walk, talk, study and play.
The stage when the body is fully grown and one can work and care for family.
The last stage of life; strength slowly fades but experience is richest.
A chemical made by the body that acts like a signal directing growth.
The passing of features from parents to children, such as looks and height.
Changes in thoughts and feelings, such as mood swings in puberty.
The fact that everyone develops at a different time and speed — all normal.
How we see our own looks and abilities; accepting ourselves is a healthy self-image.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: Know the five stages of lifeLife has five growth stages. In infancy we depend completely on adults and express needs by crying or smiling; in childhood we learn to walk, talk and study, growing quickly in body and mind; in puberty the body races towards maturity; in adulthood growth is complete, and we can work and care for a family; in old age strength slowly fades, but wisdom and experience are richest. Each stage has its own tasks and joys; knowing which stage you are in helps you see that growth comes step by step.
- Step 2: Learn the bodily changes of pubertyPuberty begins around age ten, when the brain releases hormones that direct rapid development. Both boys and girls grow taller, may get pimples, sweat more and grow underarm hair; boys' voices deepen, beards appear and shoulders broaden; girls' figures fill out and menstruation begins; boys may sometimes have night emissions. All of these are normal signs of development, not illness. Bath often and change clothes to stay clean; when uncomfortable or puzzled, freely ask your parents or the school nurse.
- Step 3: Understand psychological changes and how to copeIn puberty not only the body changes; feelings turn as changeable as weather: confident one moment, worried about others' opinions the next, even quarrelling with family over small things. Everyone has these psychological changes, and they are nothing to fear. Ways to cope: tell trusted people how you feel, exercise and listen to music to ease emotions, set small goals to build confidence, and respect others as well as yourself. If you feel low for a long time, remember to seek help from teachers or the school social worker.
- Step 4: Master the four factors affecting growthGrowth and development depend on four factors. Heredity: parents' height and build pass to their children, drawing the basic blueprint. Nutrition: a balanced diet supplies protein and calcium, the materials of growth. Sleep: growth hormones are released most during deep sleep, so children need nine to eleven hours each night. Exercise: skipping, running and swimming stimulate the bones and build firm muscles. The four factors work together, and none can be missing.
- Step 5: Accept individual differences in developmentIn one class, some classmates have shot up and their voices have changed, while others are still small — this is a normal individual difference. The timing and speed of development follow heredity, helped by nutrition, sleep and exercise; everyone's timetable differs, and one or two years earlier or later is well within normal. It is like planting flowers: some bloom in spring, some in summer, but all will blossom. Do not compare yourself with others, and never tease classmates who develop slower or faster.
- Step 6: Accept yourself and seek help when neededAccepting your growing self is the most important lesson of puberty. Facing the changes in the mirror, tell yourself: this is evidence of growth, and everyone has their own rhythm. When in doubt, parents, teachers, the school nurse and social worker are all happy to answer, and you can see a doctor if needed — never suffer in silence out of shyness or trust online rumours. With a balanced diet, enough sleep, daily exercise and a positive mind, you will walk through puberty with confidence.
5Worked example Example
Example: Yan finds herself half a head shorter than classmates and is worried; her classmate En has already grown tall and fears she is developing too fast. Use the factors affecting growth to analyse their worries and give advice.
- Both girls are in puberty, the stage when height and weight naturally shoot up — a normal part of growth.
- Development starts at different times for different people, shaped by heredity, nutrition, sleep and exercise; faster or slower is a normal individual difference.
- They can check their daily habits: balanced diet, early sleep, daily exercise — all of these support growth.
- The shorter one need not worry, and the taller one should not feel smug or be teased; accepting each other's differences keeps friendship happy.
- If someone stays clearly much shorter than peers for a long time, parents can consult a doctor or the school nurse.
- Answer: Yan and En are both in puberty; development comes earlier or later, faster or slower, mainly following heredity with the help of nutrition, sleep and exercise — a normal individual difference, nothing to fear. They should keep a balanced diet, enough sleep and regular exercise, and stop comparing themselves with others. If in doubt, ask parents, teachers or the school nurse, or consult a doctor. Accepting your own rhythm and respecting others' differences is the healthy attitude to growing up.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What are the five stages of human life?
Q2Which chemicals direct the body's development?
Q3What four factors affect growth and development?
Q4Is it normal for classmates to develop at different speeds?
Q5Whom can you ask about body changes in puberty?
8Recap Recap
- Five stages: infancy → childhood → puberty → adulthood → old age.
- In puberty, hormones direct rapid growth; everyone changes.
- Four growth factors: heredity, nutrition, sleep and exercise.
- Development speed differs; a year or two earlier or later is normal.
- Accept your own rhythm; ask parents, teachers or nurses when in doubt.