In Grade Five, we learnt about pre-teen, which is a stage in life after childhood. We are now going to learn about the next stage in life which comes after pre-teen, known as adolescence. During adolescence, the body continues to grow and undergo further changes.
Meaning of Adolescence
Activity 1
Finding out the meaning of adolescence
Look at the following picture.
Happy birthday to you x 2
Happy birthday dear Nekesa, happy birthday to you.
How old are you now? x 2
How old are you dear Nekesa, how old are you now?
Thirteen (Nekesa).
Work in groups
- Talk about what is happening in the picture.
- Sing the happy birthday song.
- Who is an adolescent?
- At what age does adolescence begin and end?
Explore more
Search from the Internet for the meaning of adolescence.
Share what you have learnt with the rest of the learners.
Now you know
Adolescence is the stage in life between pre-teen and adulthood.
The stage occurs between 13 and 19 years of age.
Changes that Take Place during Adolescence
Activity 2
Discussing the changes that take place during adolescence
Teacher Wakesho invited a guest speaker to talk to Grade Six learners about the changes that take place during adolescence. After the talk, the guest speaker asked the learners in groups to discuss and write what they had learnt and post it on the wall. The following is an example of the findings from one group.
Findings after group discussion
- Increase in weight and height.
- Menstruation onset in girls.
- Boys experience wet dreams.
- Voice changes.
- Hips broaden in girls.
- Broadening of shoulders in boys.
- Increase in body and facial hair.
Activity 3
Finding out more about the changes that take place during adolescence.
In pairs
- From the information presented, talk about the changes that take place during adolescence.
- Can you think of any other changes that may take place during adolescence?
- Search the internet or books for the changes that take place during adolescence.
- Summarise your findings in the table below.
Share your findings with the other learners.
Changes that occur during adolescence | |
Girls | Boys |
Changes in the body
Work in groups
Ihuoma’s visit to her grandparents
Ihuoma, a Grade Six girl in Kwao Primary School, has been experiencing changes in her body. Occasionally, she has mood swings and sometimes it makes her to behave badly towards her friends. Ihuoma mostly keeps to herself and feels bad about her face because it has pimples. Tina, her friend, has been wondering what was happening to Ihuoma that made her withdraw from her friends. She decided to talk to her about it.
Tina: | Ihuoma, how are you today? |
Ihuoma: | I am well. |
Tina: | How come you rarely play with us nowadays? |
Ihuoma: | Tina, look at my face, it is rough with pimples. I feel bad. |
Tina: | Relax Ihuoma, my aunt told me that it is normal and with time the pimples will disappear. |
Ihuoma: | Thank you Tina, but are you sure that will be the end of my worries? |
Tina: | What else is the matter dear? |
Ihuoma: | How do I play freely especially during that time of the month? |
Tina: | Ooh! I also experience the same. My mum showed me how to use a sanitary towel. It protects me from staining my clothes. |
Ihuoma: | Ooh! I see! I thought I was the only one going through this. |
Tina: | My friend I feel interested in boys and sometimes I wish to be close to them and play with them. |
Ihuoma: | Me too! I also feel the same. Thanks for being a true friend. |
Tina: | It was nice talking to you. Thank you too for opening up and sharing your feelings with me. |
Ihuoma: | You are a true friend, I guess that is what friends are for. Someone you can trust and freely share your feelings with. |
Work in groups
- Mention the emotional changes experienced by Ihuoma.
- What other emotional changes take place during adolescence?
Now you know
When boys and girls reach adolescence, certain physical and emotional changes take place. The table below shows the changes that take place during adolescence.
Physical Changes that take place during adolescence | |
Girls | Boys |
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