Puberty & Brain Development
What is puberty?
The stage of life when the body and brain go through changes as a person matures
What is peer pressure?
Name two things that are part of sexual health besides physical health.
Emotional, mental, and social wellbeing.
What body system includes organs involved in reproduction?
The reproductive system
What does STBBIs stand for?
Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne infections
Name two physical changes that can happen for both males and females during puberty.
Growth spurts, increased sweat and oil production, increased body hair, acne, maturation of the reproductive system
What does consent mean?
Freely agreeing to something without pressure and being able to change your mind at any time.
Name 2 reliable sources of sexual health information
Doctors, nurses, trusted adults, counsellors, school curriculum, public health websites, etc.
What is fertilization?
When a sperm cell joins and egg cell
What is a blood-borne infection?
An infection that can be spread through contact with infected blood
Why do people sometimes experience mood swings during puberty?
Hormone changes and brain development can affect emotions
What are two signs of a healthy friendship or relationship?
Respect, trust, communication, honesty, support, healthy boundaries
Why might social media not always be a reliable source of sexual health information?
It may contain myths, misinformation, opinions, or inaccurate information
What is the purpose of the menstrual cycle?
To prepare the body for a possible pregnancy
What is body image?
How someone thinks and feels about their body
What part of the body is still developing during adolescence and affects planning, judgement, and impulse control?
The brain
Extra 100 points: Pre-frontal Cortex
Give two realistic examples of ways that someone can respond to pressure from friends or peers.
Say no, leave, change the subject, talk to a trusted adult, make an excuse, set and communicate clear boundaries
A video online makes a surprising claim about a new type of contraception. What are two ways you could check if the information is reliable?
Compare sources, check with trusted health organizations, ask a health professional, ask a trusted adult -- verify evidence
Name 2 ways pregnancy can be prevented
Abstinence, condoms, birth control pill, etc.
Why can social media sometimes negatively affect body image?
Images may be edited, unrealistic, filtered, or show unhealthy comparisons or expectations
Why might teens sometimes make impulsive decisions more easily than adults?
The parts of the brain that are responsible for reasoning and judgement are still developing.
Adolescence is a huge period of social development -- teens may wany acceptance, and are influenced by friendship and belonging.
Personal boundaries help people to feel safe, respected, and comfortable.
Name two policies that protect the rights that people have to set and maintain personal boundaries.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Canadian Human Rights Act
Nova Scotia School Code of Conduct
Why is learning about pregnancy prevention important, even for younger middle school students?
It helps prepare people with the information needed to make informed, healthy, and safe decisions as they grow up
What part of the brain sends a signal to the body that puberty should begin?