On 17th June, Always Puberty in Schools Programme visited CityKidz and conducted an entertaining and informative session for Grade 6 & 7 girls on beginning the journey into womanhood. The session taught our learners about developmental changes to their bodies, menstruation and how to deal with the different stages of puberty.
The facilitator, Mpho, gave useful advice and practical tips about menstruation. Included in the educational talk was learning about the stages of the menstrual cycle, the benefits of different sized pads and the dos and don’ts of menstruation. The Q&A was lively and learners asked many questions: Can I swim when I’m on my period? Yes, provided you use the correct product. Is it normal to gain weight during puberty? Girls are meant to put on weight during puberty because your body is growing.
What is puberty? It’s the point when you start to change from a child into an adult, from a girl into a woman. Puberty is normal and happens to everyone. Although you’ll go through a lot of changes, you’ll still be yourself — with some important differences. Visually, you’ll start looking more like a woman (developing breasts, growing taller and you’ll notice the first signs of puberty like pubic hair and getting your first period). How much blood do I lose during my period? Most girls lose about ¼ cup of menstrual fluid during their periods (mostly in the first few days). Not to worry though, - your body makes up for it.
There were freebies too. Each girl received a pack of pads. CityKidz celebrates its female learners, who are now better informed about their bodies and able to feel more confident when they experience a perfectly normal event, menstruation.
