YIKES! Puberty Already?

Brenda Levine
Nov 27, 2019
2 min read

Fifth grade is such a transformational year. Time management and organizational skills become more of an independent expectation. Students become so aware of the world and begin to engage in deep conversations about big issues and topics, and they are aware they have opinions and are very eager to share them. I have taught 2nd-5th grade, and 5th grade is by far my favorite.

It's a fun time in child development, but it comes with challenges. That sweet little one is becoming a "tween." Caregivers, brace yourselves, the hormones are coming! For my families that are dealing with this for the first time because the 5th grader is your oldest child, it can be quite a shock. For those that have already been down this road, you are filling up the gas tank getting ready for the next trip around. If you really want a challenge, come join me for a whole day with twenty-eight tweens at different stages. Some days can be like herding cats or trying to nail jello to a wall, but those little kid moments show up too and provide a bit of sanity.

Because we have our annual puberty presentation coming up on December 19th, I thought I would provide a list of appropriate resources. All of the resources are for kids, and they could be read by your kids alone. However, the resources are a great way to open the lines of communication about a topic that can be uncomfortable to discuss. Having a book creates a neutral space where both parties can engage in conversation while looking at text.