Puberty is a time of emotional change as well as physical change. With the insight of real kids going through puberty, a psychologist, and a pediatrician, this program helps students understand that their changing emotions may be confusing and intense, but are absolutely normal. Viewers examine the many elements of emotional growth in puberty: what causes mood swings; the role of hormones in how you feel; the need for extra sleep; how new responsibilities can create stress at home and at school; the impact of new friendships, including romantic crushes; the quest for independence from parents; and the desire to fit in with peers. The kids and doctors talk about how kids in puberty can learn to cope, communicate, and compromise to make a smooth transition to young adulthood.
© Human Relations Media
Includes:
video, plus teacher’s resource book, student handouts and pre/post tests in digital format
DVD contains Spanish subtitles.
Reviews
In six chapters, this program covers puberty basics: mood swings, self-image issues, crushes, and more. Two teen hosts, Graham and Chantal, are joined by actors playing their younger selves to discuss the emotional changes that puberty causes. With the help of animation, the sources of changing hormones are illustrated. Two experts, pediatrician Sasha Chhabria and psychologist Joshua Rosenthal, testify on the physical and emotional changes that take place. Graham and Chantal make the following recommendations for surviving puberty to their younger selves: get enough sleep, eat healthy, talk more, and cut something out, if overstressed. A 31-page PDF teacher resource guide contains learning objectives, a program summary, book lists for girls and boys, National Health Education Standards and National Sexuality Education Standards, a health habits survey, and fact sheets. The student activities include writing letters to future selves, a crossword puzzle made from puberty vocabulary, a Jeopardy!-style game, and versions for ELL and gifted students VERDICT This introduction to puberty covers only its emotional side. There is no description or illustration of physical changes to teen bodies and no cause for embarrassment. Ideal for coed middle school classes.
–Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Preparatory, San Jose, CA School Library Journal