Puberty education not happening at school! - Page 2

[sstichler]

Yes, I am a parent educator and I would suggest going to Healthy Chats.com.   This pediatrician has a wonderful DVD that you can buy to watch with your daughter!!   I highly recommend it.   We live in San Diego and went to her seminar but if you don't live near by, you can purchase this DVD anywhere in the country!!  Enjoy!

[MicheleRMT]

Thanks for the dvd idea.  I would totally do that but instead I just took her out of Waldorf School.  Now she's learning way more of academics as well.  :)

[journeymom]

Interesting! So was your dissatisfaction with the puberty education just the beginning of the end? 

[MicheleRMT]

That not being taught in class had no bearing on pulling her out.  That's such a small thing compared to the bullying (boys actually beating on her) and if that wasn't enought my dd was crying because she was sick and tired of the teacher going on about fairy's and knomes instead of learning real stuff.  I know people will say well, you don't know yourr leearning but you are.  No she wasn't.  The teacher said about 3/4 of the class is behind in math but they only have 1 learning assisstant, so each child gets her for about 4 sessions then on with the next child.

The schools in Europe ARE great.  I don't know about the school in the US.  But in Canada the teachers baby the students.  I'm sure there are a few exceptions of greeat teachers in Canada.  that's just the general drift.  Our teacher was VERY waldorfy and my child didn't learn anything except fairy tales.  She was there for grade 3 and 4.  She went to a different private school for grade 5 and even learned more and better ART than Waldorf school.  She loves her new school.  Going into grade 6 in Sept and she's looking for to it.  Plus it's nice not to have a boy punch you in the head, then tell the teacher and nothing gets done!

[MicheleRMT]

oh and by the way, they had a course in Sex Ed in grade 5 in her new school.

Also someone here said it's up to me to teach her that stuff.  I did!  As much as I could, but I like the idea someone else doing it too to catch any points I may have not covered.

[journeymom]

The schools in Europe are great... are you referring to Waldorf schools ar schools in general?

I'm very glad to hear she loves her new school!

[MicheleRMT]

Waldorf school.  She went to one for a couple weeks in Frrance.  Plus i spoke to a couple waldorf teachers here in Canada that say in Europe the kids have more respect because it's actually taught.  Angie notice when she was there, they give hmwk. etc.

[amnesiac]

I teach it to my 5th graders in the fall semester. Our district specifies it is to be covered during 5th grade but they don't say when so most of the other nurses actually wait until spring. We are required to use the Always Changing program which may not be just what you'd like to use but here it is - scroll down & you can look at the videos & things online:
http://www.pgschoolprograms.com/programs.php?pid=1

[amnesiac]

Originally Posted by karne 

I really liked the American Girl book titled The care and Keeping of You when my dd was in 4th grade. I think it's basic, friendly, and well done.  

Sorry for the serial posting - I meant to say that my dd liked this book at that age too. She's very private & shy & that book was a good conversation starter for her.

[onlyzombiecat]

I know this is an older thread but I think kidshealth.org has some helpful answers about puberty if anyone is looking for something online.

http://kidshealth.org/kid/grow/body_stuff/puberty.html

http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/changing_body/puberty.html#cat20129

I don't think they have videos but there is an interactive explanation of the female reproductive system and menstrual cycles.

http://kidshealth.org/kid/interactive/female_it.html

I do think waiting until children are 10 years old to have a beginning conversation about puberty is late on the part of parents. Kids don't have to know every detail before they begin puberty but should know the basics so it doesn't freak them out.

I think it is okay if schools do not present the topic of puberty until children are age 10 though even if some kids do start earlier or later. When I was in school they showed us a film and had the puberty talk around age 10/11.

My dd started her period exactly at age 12. I started getting some books specifically about puberty around age 8. We do have The American Girl Care and Keeping of You book. I think it is on a good level for girls to look at on their own.

[nerdmomma6885]

My oldest started Family Life in 5th grade, they had to watch "The Miracle of Life" movie which was WAY tooo overrated for fifth graders (that's what she said!) so I don't recommend it until she's older. Yes, "The Care and Keeping of You" is nice, also a book called Body Drama but probably good for older kids. She started sex ed in 7th grade, which was very good for her. Unbelievably, her science teacher was very good and open and informative, and willing to discuss morbid topics. As someone who started at age 11, I could have used more information beforehand, but it ended up ok.
 

[RitesForGirls]

There's some great advice here.  All I would add is that 'coming of age' groups can be a lovely way to study the changes that come about during puberty.  Yes, parents are a great first port of call, but as some have said, their children begin to squirm at yet another of those conversations.  Yes, some schools raise the issues really well.  And whilst it can be really supportive to learn about these things together, learning with your classmates and your teachers may not be the most comfortable.  Gathering together with a group of other girls, expressly to explore coming of age and growing up, can be a really fun way to form really supportive bonds with others over a passage of life that is full of change.  I find that the girls I work with often stay friends with the others in their group right through school and into their child-bearing years...

[pigpokey]

The UU and the UCC have a sex ed curriculum and people from outside those churches register for it.  I think it's called Our Whole Lives or something close.