Growing and Changing: What Is Puberty?

Think about a photo of yourself when you were a toddler. Your body looked different then, didn't it? You were smaller, your face was rounder, and you couldn't do the things you can do now. Bodies keep changing all through life. The biggest change after being a baby happens during a time called puberty. Have you ever heard that word before?

Puberty is the time when your body grows and changes from a child's body into an adult's body. It usually starts somewhere between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls and 9 and 14 for boys, but everyone is different. Starting earlier or later than your friends is completely normal. Why does puberty happen? Inside your brain, a tiny part called the pituitary gland starts sending chemical messages called hormones around your body. Think of hormones like tiny instructions delivered by post — they tell different parts of your body to start growing and changing. Here are some changes that happen to most people during puberty: • You grow taller quite quickly. This is called a growth spurt. • You may notice new hair growing under your arms and in your pubic area (between your legs). • Skin can become oilier and spots (pimples) may appear. • You begin to sweat more, which can cause body odour (a stronger smell from your body). Using a deodorant helps with this. • For girls, breasts begin to develop and periods (monthly bleeding from the womb) start. • For boys, the voice gets deeper and the penis and testicles grow larger. • Both boys and girls may find their emotions feel stronger or change quickly sometimes. All of these changes are healthy and normal. Puberty is not something going wrong — it is your body doing exactly what it is supposed to do. It usually takes several years to complete, so the changes happen gradually, not all at once. If you ever feel confused or worried about any change, a trusted adult — like a parent, carer, or school nurse — is always someone you can talk to.