Growing with Confidence: Understanding Puberty at Lotus Petals Foundation

 

Puberty.pdf by Manisha Khanna

Students from the Lotus Petals Foundation recently came together to share their thoughts and understanding about puberty, a vital stage of growing up. Through open discussions and interactive sessions, they expressed how their bodies and emotions are changing, and how gaining knowledge about these changes helps them feel more confident and prepared. They talked about physical developments like height, voice changes, and menstruation, as well as emotional shifts such as mood swings and growing independence. The students emphasized the importance of hygiene, healthy habits, and respectful communication during this phase. Their reflections showed a strong sense of curiosity, maturity, and the positive impact of a supportive learning environment.

Puberty and Perspective: Learning, Questioning, and Growing with Confidence - Nikunj Gupta

Today's session really helped me make sense of the changes I’m going through—both in my body and emotions—as I experience puberty. I learned that it’s all a normal part of growing up, mostly driven by hormones like testosterone and estrogen.

I also found it fascinating how our culture can shape the way we respond to things, even something as simple as food. One part that stood out to me was the example about deworming horses—it showed how the same word can mean completely different things depending on the context.

Overall, I feel more comfortable now discussing these topics and know it’s okay to ask questions or seek help when I need it.

Nikunj Gupta

Class VII

Sunbeam Suncity School

Understanding Puberty: Navigating Change with Awareness and Empathy - Vishakha Singh

Good morning & Jai Hind,

Today's session was really very important, especially for our students. It discussed the changes that occur during puberty and their longer-term impact.

Sharing my opinion & reflection related to today's session:

The session on puberty and the changes that occur during it was both informative and eye-opening. It provided a safe space to learn and discuss the physical, emotional, and social changes that occur during this crucial stage of development. Understanding these changes helps reduce confusion and fear, especially as many young people experience them for the first time.

One key takeaway was learning how puberty can affect friendships. As we grow and change, our interests, moods, and the way we relate to others can shift. Sometimes, friends might grow apart or misunderstand each other due to emotional ups and downs or different paces of development. However, learning about these changes can help us become more patient and understanding with our friends, strengthening those relationships instead of losing them.

The session also helped highlight the importance of emotions during puberty. Emotions can become stronger or more unpredictable due to hormonal changes. Learning to recognize and manage emotions, especially through open communication and self-care, is crucial for maintaining mental well-being. It was helpful to know that feeling overwhelmed or confused at times is completely normal.

I also explored the meaning of happy emotions, such as joy, excitement, and contentment. These emotions are important because they help us build positive relationships, motivate us to achieve goals, and give us a sense of purpose and connection. Understanding that it’s okay to experience a range of emotions, including happy and difficult ones, can make this stage of life easier to handle.

Overall, the session was valuable in helping us understand ourselves and each other better during puberty. It reminded us that we are not alone in our experiences and that emotional and social support are essential during this time of growth.

Thank you.

Regards,

Vishakha Singh

Educator

Sunbeam School Ballia

Puberty and Growing Up: Understanding Changes with Confidence and Care - Sunbeam School Ballia

Today's session was really informative.

The resource person, Ms. Shikha Agnihotri, began by explaining what puberty is – a stage of physical and emotional development where children transition into adulthood. Students were told about the emotional ups and downs they may face, such as mood swings, increased sensitivity, self-consciousness, and anxiety.

The session also covered how puberty affects behaviour. Children may start seeking more independence, feel peer pressure, or become more private and less communicative with parents or teachers. The facilitator encouraged open communication and reassured students that it’s okay to ask questions or feel confused during this stage.

Most importantly, the session focused on creating a safe and respectful environment where students could express their doubts and emotions freely. It emphasized that growing up is a journey, and with the right guidance and support, it can be a smooth and confident one.

Regards,

Pooja Pandey

Educator

Sunbeam School Ballia

Today's session on "Puberty and Its Impact on Emotions and Behaviour" was both engaging and informative.

The speaker beautifully explained that puberty is a natural phase of life during which children experience significant changes in their bodies, minds, and emotions. Due to hormonal shifts, they may sometimes feel angry, sad, confused, or shy without any clear reason. The session helped us understand that these changes are a normal part of growing up, and with proper guidance and support, this transition can be managed smoothly and positively.

Thank you,

Anurag Tripathi

Educator

Sunbeam School Ballia

Navigating Puberty: Embracing Emotional Growth with Support and Awareness - Shahar Banu

Today's session on Puberty and Its Impact on Emotions and Behaviour by Ms. Shikha Agnihotri was truly interactive and engaging.

Ma’am ensured active participation from everyone, and rightly so—the topic itself sparked genuine curiosity among the listeners. She emphasized how puberty influences not just physical growth but also significantly impacts one’s mind and behaviour.

I was especially glad to witness the enthusiastic involvement of the students throughout the session. It has certainly made it easier for me to approach this sensitive topic with more confidence and clarity in the classroom.

A heartfelt thank you to My Good School for inviting such insightful speakers to address relevant and timely issues.

Regards,

Shahar Banu

Dean Academics

Sunbeam School, Ballia

Embracing Change: Understanding Puberty with Confidence and Respect - Astha Mishra

The session on puberty was very informative and eye-opening. It helped me understand the changes that happen in our body and mind as we grow from children into teenagers. It also taught me the importance of involving an adult whenever we make any important decision.

Overall, the session helped me feel more confident and less awkward about this stage of life. It also taught me to be respectful and understanding toward others who are also going through these changes. I now see puberty not as something to be scared or ashamed of, but as a natural and important step in becoming a responsible and mature individual.

~Astha Mishra

Class IX

Sunbeam School, Ballia

My Good School, Sunday 29th June 2025

YES Workshop with Shikha Agnihotri of Right Side Story

Discussion on puberty, growing up, and adolescence with high school students, led by Shikha Agnihotri from Right Side Story.

Key Takeaways

• Puberty involves both physical and emotional changes that are beyond one's control; understanding these changes helps normalise the experience ("puberty is not a race")

• Students shared insights on mood swings, emotional changes, and physical transformations during puberty, demonstrating awareness but also misconceptions

• The session emphasised communication as a crucial strategy for managing challenging emotions and relationships during adolescence

• Gender differences during puberty were discussed, including societal expectations and biological variations, with an emphasis on respect for all genders

Topics

Understanding Puberty and Growth

• Puberty is defined as a "software update" in the mind and body, signalling the transition from childhood.

• Students recognised that puberty is influenced by genetics and occurs at different ages for different people.

• Physical changes discussed included body odour, voice changes such as the Adam's apple in boys, and muscle development.

• Brain "rewiring" during puberty leads to feelings of independence and new emotional experiences.

• Girls and boys experience different physical changes, but both face hormonal shifts (testosterone vs. estrogen)

Emotional Changes During Puberty

• Students identified negative emotions experienced: anxiety, jealousy, frustration, irritation, depression.

• Positive emotions noted: happiness from recognition, validation, success, and achievement.

• Discussion of mood swings affecting both genders, not just girls, as commonly believed

• Students expressed challenges with controlling emotions during puberty

• Shikha emphasised that emotions during puberty are often temporary but intense, requiring patience

Friendship and Relationships During Adolescence

• Students debated whether friendship affects puberty or puberty affects friendship

• Trust issues in friendships were highlighted as a challenge during puberty

• Advice given: when hurt by friends, communicate within 24 hours rather than avoiding the issue

• Self-inflicted independence during puberty can strain relationships with parents and authority figures

• Importance of finding trusted adults to discuss difficult decisions emphasised

Self-Image and Body Awareness

• Students noted increased focus on appearance during puberty (clothes, hygiene, physical features)

• Discussion about boys becoming more conscious about their physical appearance (muscles, height)

• Girls discussed increased attention to skincare, makeup, and fashion choices

• The importance of hygiene is emphasised, especially regarding body odour, which increases during puberty

• Both genders experience increased self-consciousness and concern about how others perceive them

Reading Session: Animal Behaviour and Taste with Brinda Ghosh

• The second half of the meeting featured a reading from "The Inner Life of Animals" focusing on taste in animals

• Discussed how animals have different taste preferences than humans (example: crows eating seeds from horse excrement)

• Explored how taste is adapted to different species' needs and evolutionary history

• Reading skills were emphasised, including proper use of punctuation and expression while reading

• Importance of regular reading beyond textbooks (15-20 minutes daily) was encouraged

Next Steps

• Shikha proposed separate follow-up sessions for boys and girls to discuss puberty more openly

• Future session on pronunciation and reading skills to be conducted by Brinda

• After completing the current book, the group will read Gerald Durrell's works about animals

• Students are encouraged to practice communication skills when dealing with emotional challenges

• Students advised to develop reading habits beyond textbooks (15-20 minutes daily)