Introduction to puberty resources for First Nations children
The topic of puberty is found in the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education (HPE) learning area, which all Queensland schools are required to teach.
Two videos – Girls’ Business and Boys’ Business – were designed to give teachers, facilitators, First Nations parents and carers, and community members a culturally safe resource to introduce the topic of puberty to First Nations students in upper primary school.
These videos were developed by Queensland Health and Education Queensland, in consultation with First Nations stakeholder groups. The videos align with cultural protocols for First Nations students, but are available for all schools and community members to use as appropriate for their context.
These videos were originally designed to be used as one part of a HPE lesson to introduce the topic of puberty. They have not been designed to be used as a stand-alone resource for puberty education.
Girls’ Business
This video depicts an Aunty and young girl discussing girls’ business while weaving by a creek. The conversation ends with the pair briefly referencing boys’ business (3:57).
Aunty: You've been quiet today. Usually you’re chatting my head off by now. What's on your mind?
Girl: I don't know, I guess I'm just a little...
Aunty: A little what, bub? It's okay to say it.
Girl: I'm a little confused. I think about stuff and the growing up stuff. It all just seems a bit mixed up sometimes.
Aunty: That makes sense. Growing up is a time of lots of changes. Sometimes faster than your mind can catch up. It can feel strange and even confusing.
Girl: Yeah sometimes I just feel like I want to cry or yell. I don't even know why.
Aunty: Yep bub, that happens. Your feelings can get louder during this time. It's kind of like your body and brain trying to, you know, communicate with each other and understand each other. And it's okay to feel all of it.
Girl: Sometimes your body just feels different somehow. Like, I notice things, but I don't really know what they are.
Aunty: That's normal too. Your chest starts to develop bit by bit. Hips too. It's just your body getting ready for the next stage of life. You might start seeing some hairs showing up under your arms and elsewhere, and things might start to smell a bit different. Using deodorant can help with that. But soon enough, your periods will start.
Girl: What is it like...the period stuff? I'm scared about that bit.
Aunty: Yeah, it can feel strange at first, but nothing to be scared of. It's just a part of your body's way of getting ready to become a woman. And then when it starts don't be shame. Come and tell and yarn to one of us ladies. Whether it's me, your mum, your auntie, your nan, even a school teacher. They can help you with what to do next.
Girl: What kind of help?
Aunty: Well things like pads, protective underwear to keep you comfortable. And if you ever feel worried or upset, there's always someone here ready to listen up, bub.
Girl: There's just other things, too. Like little surprises that I wasn't expecting. It's all kind of new.
Aunty: That's your body changing as you grow. One day you notice something different, like a pimple popping up can catch you off guard, but it's all part of it. Keeping yourself clean and a bit of patience goes a long way while your body settles into its rhythm.
Girl: Sometimes I feel like everything's happening all at once. I don't really know who I am anymore.
Aunty: That's part of the journey too. You’re finding yourself bit by bit. It's okay to feel unsure. It means you're growing.
Girl: Well, what if I don't like the changes?
Aunty: Change can be hard. But remember, your worth isn't about how your body changes or how you look. It's about who you are inside. Taking care of yourself. Eating well. You know. Resting and doing things you enjoy to help you feel strong.
Girl: So looking after myself helps with the hard stuff.
Aunty: Yes, and remember, everyone grows in their own way bub. You know, there's no one right way. You're doing just fine.
Girl: It's just sometimes I feel like I'm the only one trying to figure it out.
Aunty: You're never alone, bub. We all go through it in our own time. There's no rush. We are here for support and guidance. And don't ever feel like you're in it alone. You can come talk to us. Don't feel shame at all. Okay?
Girl: Thanks, aunty. It really does help talking to you. Do boys go through stuff like this too? Like growing up things?
Aunty: Yes, they certainly do. They get confused and have mood swings just like us. That's why we should all treat each other with kindness and respect.
Girl: Yeah, that makes sense.
Aunty: Any time, bub. I'm always here for you. Now come on, let me show you how to finish off this weave here.
Boys’ Business
This video depicts an Uncle and a young boy discussing boys’ business during a game of basketball. The conversation ends with the pair briefly referencing girls’ business (3:30).
Boy: That’s game uncle!
Uncle: Bala, you’re getting better at shooting
Boy: Thanks, uncle. You're getting slower.
Uncle: (Laughs) What's going on, buddy? You seem a bit flat today.
Boy: I don't know, just stuff.
Uncle: Stuff hey? Usually when people say stuff, it means something really big. So what's on your mind, brother? Speak.
Boy: Just growing up and all that. It's weird.
Uncle: It's a bit of a ride growing up.
Boy: You feel like that too? Even you?
Uncle: I remember feeling the same way. Confused. Awkward. Wondering what's going on with my body. Every guy goes through it. It's just a part of life. Your body's changing. It's just getting ready for bigger things.
Boy: But why does it have to be so embarrassing? Like my voice cracks when I'm talking to people. And other stuff feels weird too.
Uncle: Ahh that voice cracking? That's like dribbling a basketball. It takes a bit of practice, but once you get used to it, it's okay. As for the other stuff, that's just your body preparing for adulthood. Even if it doesn't feel right, it's practically normal.
Boy: So dad went through all this, too?
Uncle: Oh, yeah he did. He's used to come to me with all sorts of questions, like, why am I getting sweaty all the time? Or why I suddenly care what I look like. Even why's there hair growing in places? It threw him too. I told him the same thing I'm telling you now. It's normal. And we're here to help you.
Boy: Yeah, but there's some other things too. I'm too shame to even say it.
Uncle: Yeah, I get it, nephew. It's perfectly normal. Everyone goes through it. Every fella in this family's been through it. But, it’s just a part of growing up. Maybe sometimes you wake up with your pants feeling a bit wet.
Boy: How do you know that?
Uncle: Trust me, brother, we've all been through it. Everyone in this family has. It's all a part of growing up. Don't be shame about it.
Boy: But why does it happen? It's weird.
Uncle: It happens because your body is figuring things out as you go. It's preparing yourself for adulthood. Again, it's perfectly normal. And don't be afraid to talk about it.
Boy: So it's not bad or anything?
Uncle: Haha! Not at all. It's just nature doing this thing. You don't have to feel shame about it. No one really talks about it much, but it's as normal as getting taller, your voice changing, or even getting a bit moody.
Boy: Yeah, sometimes I get angry or sad, but I don't even know why.
Uncle: That's part of it too. There's nothing wrong with it. It's just your brain and your body catching up to each other. Just figuring each other out. When it gets too much. Don’t bottle it all up. Make sure you talk to someone. Okay?
Boy: All right. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one.
Uncle: You never alone, mate. You got your family, your friends, your culture guiding you. Growing up is about learning to respect yourself, your body, and everything around you.
Boy: Thanks, uncle. I think I get it now. But wait! Does this sort of thing happen to girls?
Uncle: Yeah it does, it’s different for them. But, it’s just as normal though. They go through changes too. Physical stuff, emotions, questions about their bodies. Same feelings of confusion. That's why it's important we all look out for each other with respect hey?
Boy: Yeah, respect.
Uncle: You ready for one more game?
Boy: Yeah Uncs!
Uncle: Alright!
Creating cultural safety for puberty education
To ensure cultural safety for students and to support educators to be culturally responsive when teaching the topic of puberty, it is suggested that the videos are used as follows:
- Engage with First Nations parents and carers to share the videos and their purpose in creating a culturally safe education environment for puberty education (as part of the Australian Curriculum: HPE learning area).
- Consult with First Nations parents and carers to determine
- the specific, age-appropriate puberty information that can be taught in the classroom
- which students will receive age-appropriate puberty information (i.e. year level)
- how the puberty information will be introduced and taught in the classroom (i.e. delivered to all students together or split by sex or gender, education resources to be used)
- who will introduce and teach the puberty information (i.e. which educator(s), involvement of First Nations families and/or community members)
- which video will be used for each class and/or cohort.
Example lesson structure
The following example can be used to structure a culturally safe puberty education lesson.
- Introduce the topic of puberty using either the Girls’ Business video or Boy’s Business video.
- Use agreed upon education resources and information to explore puberty and managing puberty in more depth.
- Provide students with the opportunity to discuss and ask questions.
- Create and deliver follow-up lessons to have students apply puberty knowledge demonstrating ability to meet curriculum skill requirements (Australian Curriculum: HPE).
Contact
For further information on these resources, questions or feedback, please contact qwghp@health.qld.gov.au.