Growing Up Great Slides
Growing Up Great
Exploring our bodies, our feelings, and our boundaries
Welcome to the Growth Garden!
The Changing Seed
Just like a tiny seed grows into a tall flower, our bodies are always changing.
- Growing taller and stronger
- New hair growing in new places
- Body odors (time for deodorant soon!)
Everyone changes at their own pace!
Big Feelings Weather
Sometimes as we grow, our inside "weather" changes quickly. This is because of hormones—special messengers in our body!
Sadness
Feeling teary for "no reason"
Irritation
Getting annoyed easily
Excitement
Lots of extra energy!
It's okay to feel these things. It means you're growing!
Pause Power
Impulse control is like having a "Pause Button" for your brain.
The STOP Strategy:
- Stop what you're doing
- Take a deep breath
- Observe your feelings
- Proceed with a good choice
Push the Button!
Boundary Bubbles
A boundary is an invisible line around your body and feelings that keeps you safe and comfortable.
Boundary Basics:
- Ask before you hug or touch
- Saying "No, thank you" is okay
- Respect other people's space
My Space, My Choice
Garden of Growth Stories Worksheet
Garden of Growth
Stories about growing up great!
Name:
Date:
Story 1: Maya's Changing Garden
Maya was looking in the mirror. She noticed she was much taller than she was last summer. Her favorite jeans were now too short! She also noticed some new things, like hair growing under her arms and that she needed to use deodorant every morning.
"Mom, why is my body changing so fast?" Maya asked.
Her mom smiled and said, "Maya, you are like a flower in a garden. Every flower grows at its own time. These changes mean your body is working hard to help you grow into a healthy young woman. It's perfectly normal, and it's part of your unique growth journey."
Maya felt better. She realized that even though things were changing, she was still Maya—just a little bit more grown-up!
Think About It:
1. What are two ways Maya's body was changing?
2. How did Maya feel about the changes? How do you feel when you grow?
Story 2: Lila's Emotional Weather
One Tuesday, Lila felt like a thunderstorm. She was grumpy because her breakfast toast was "too crunchy." Then, she felt like crying when she couldn't find her favorite pencil. Later at recess, she felt so happy she wanted to jump to the moon!
"I feel like a roller coaster today," Lila told her teacher, Ms. Green.
Ms. Green explained, "Lila, as you grow, your body makes special messengers called hormones. Sometimes these messengers can make our feelings feel very big or change quickly. It's like having different kinds of weather inside you."
Lila took a deep breath. She decided that when the 'stormy' feelings came, she would just wait for the 'sunny' feelings to return.
Think About It:
1. What were some of the different "weather" feelings Lila had?
2. What can you do when you have a "stormy" feeling inside?
Story 3: Sofia and the Invisible Bubble
Sofia loved her friends. Sometimes she got so excited to see them that she would run up and give them a big squeeze! But today, when she hugged her friend Emma, Emma stepped back and looked uncomfortable.
"I'm not in a hugging mood right now, Sofia," Emma said quietly.
Sofia felt a little sad, but then she remembered what her dad told her about Personal Space Bubbles. Everyone has an invisible bubble around them. Some people like big bubbles, and some like small ones.
Sofia smiled and said, "I'm sorry, Emma! I'll ask next time." From then on, Sofia always asked, "Can I give you a hug?" before stepping into her friends' bubbles. She realized that respecting bubbles made her friendships even stronger.
Think About It:
1. Why did Emma step back from Sofia's hug?
2. How can you ask for permission before touching a friend's personal space?
Story 4: Chloe’s Stop-and-Think Power
Chloe was working on her art project. She saw a jar of bright, sparkly glitter across the room. She wanted to run over and grab it right away, even though her teacher was still giving instructions!
Chloe felt her legs start to move, but then she remembered her Pause Power. She imagined a big red 'STOP' sign in her mind. She took one slow, deep breath.
She thought to herself: "If I run now, I'll miss the rules and might get in trouble. I can wait two minutes."
Chloe sat back down and finished listening. When it was time to move, she walked calmly to the glitter. She felt proud that she was the boss of her own actions!
Think About It:
1. What did Chloe want to do right away (the impulse)?
2. What "Stop and Think" steps did Chloe take to help her make a good choice?
Growing Up Great Teacher Guide
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson: Growing Up Great (2nd-3rd Grade)
Lesson Purpose
This lesson is designed to provide a safe, nurturing environment for 2nd and 3rd grade girls to explore the physical and emotional changes of growing up. By using the "Growth Garden" metaphor, we normalize body changes and provide practical social-emotional tools for boundaries and impulse control.
Key Terms
- Hormones: Special messengers in our body that help us grow and sometimes affect our moods.
- Boundaries: Invisible lines that help us feel safe and comfortable around others.
- Impulse Control: The ability to stop and think before acting on a feeling.
Sensitive Topics Tip
When discussing body changes (hair growth, odor), keep it clinical and positive. If students ask more advanced questions (menstruation, etc.), acknowledge the question and suggest they talk to a trusted adult at home for more details, or refer to your school's specific health curriculum guidelines.
Social Story Discussion Prompts
Story 1: Maya (Body Changes)
Focus: Normalizing growth. Remind students that some grow fast and some grow slow, and both are okay.
Story 2: Lila (Hormones/Emotions)
Focus: Emotional regulation. Use the "weather" metaphor. Ask: "Have you ever felt like a thunderstorm for no reason?"
Story 3: Sofia (Boundaries)
Focus: Consent and personal space. Emphasize that it is always okay to say "no" to a hug, even to a friend.
Story 4: Chloe (Impulse Control)
Focus: The STOP strategy. Practice the "Take a Breath" step together as a class.
Boundary Bubble Key
Note: Every child's bubbles will look slightly different based on their comfort level.
Inner Circles: A (Hugs), D (Sitting close), F (Shoulder pat)
Middle Circles: B (High five), E (Wave), F (Shoulder pat)
Outer Circle: E (Wave)
Safe Adults Only: C (Helping change)
