Puberty is the stage of a child’s growth and development where they experience physical, sexual, and emotional changes. Many of these changes are caused by natural hormones that are produced in the body around ages eight to 16. During this time, children may notice they are growing taller, gaining weight, their skin is changing and hair is growing on their body.
Puberty and Sexual Health
Parents and caregivers have differing opinions on what, when and how to talk to their children about puberty changes, sex and sexuality.
On this page, you will find a number of resources to help with the coversation.
Menstruation is commonly referred to as “getting your period” and it is the body’s way of preparing itself for a potential pregnancy. The uterine lining builds up and if pregnancy does not occur, the body will shed the lining. This leads to bleeding that lasts between three and eight days. A person with a uterus will typically have their first period between ages 10 and 14. They will continue to experience menstrual bleeding about once per month, usually lasting for three to five days.
Sexual health is the state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexual experiences and sexuality, which includes:
- Sex - the categories (male, female, intersex) that people are typically assigned at birth based on the body parts they are born with. The word ‘sex’ can also describe sexual activity.
- Gender identity - a person’s sense of being a woman, man, both, fluid among genders or no gender, regardless of their sex assigned at birth.
- Sexual orientation - a person’s emotional, physical, or sexual attraction towards others.
Children may begin to explore their sexuality through dating, intimacy, and relationships between the ages of 13 and 18. A person’s ability to achieve sexual health and well-being depends on the availability of information about healthy sexual behaviours and sexuality and access to sexual health care.
It is important for your child to know about puberty changes, what to expect before these changes occur, that they are normal and healthy, and to know how to talk about their body or ask questions.
It’s okay for a parent/caregiver not to have all the answers. Being open, clear and welcoming of questions is one of the best ways you can help to build a supportive environment for your child’s sexual health.
Resources for parents and caregivers
Amaze jr. for parents | Amaze. Age-appropriate sexual education resources and videos for young children.
Puberty & sexual development | Teaching Sexual Health. Information on sexual growth and how to talk to your child about these changes.
Sex and sexuality | Planned Parenthood. Information on what to teach children about sex and sexuality by age.
Sex & U | Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Accurate, credible, and up-to-date information and education on sexual and reproductive health topics.
Tips for talking about sexual health | Teaching Sexual Health. Tips for talking to your child or teen about sexual health.
Huron Perth Public Health offers confidential and inclusive sexual health clinics. At these clinics, public health nurses can support youth with information, counselling, and clinical services, such as birth control prescriptions, testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and more.
Body Image | Huron Perth Public Health
Mental Health - children and youth | Huron Perth Public Health
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) | Huron Perth Public Health