Entry #35

Puberty is a time of significant physical, emotional, and social change, often causing confusion and discomfort among youth. In the Gervais community, cultural and societal norms, particularly within its large Hispanic and Old Russian populations, have significantly influenced students' access to timely puberty education, especially at the elementary school level. To address these issues, our project introduced puberty education to fifth-grade students using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model to guide implementation. A five-question parent survey gathered perspectives on the topic, and fifty fifth-grade students completed a six-question pre-test to assess knowledge of developmental and hygiene-related changes typically occurring between ages eight and thirteen. After an informational session and distribution of resource materials, a post-test revealed a significant improvement in students' understanding. However, some areas still required further clarification, indicating a need for continued reinforcement. These results support integrating early puberty education into the elementary school curriculum to enhance hygiene, self-awareness, body perception, and overall preparedness for developmental changes.