Late Elementary-Middle School
8-13 Years Old
You may notice that 8-13 is a pretty big age range! We left this age range wide open because kids in this group are developing at wildly different paces! Some of them may need resources from the Early Elementary page and some may be ready for resources from the High School page. On this page, we compiled resources for kids getting ready for or going through puberty, which usually takes a few years to complete. Puberty generally starts with a big growth spurt, body odor, and body hair. We welcome you to think about what your kid needs, where they are in their physical and emotional development, and what you need to learn to best support them! Remember, puberty happens differently for each kid, but we’ve included the basics to help you feel prepared to answer those tricky questions!
Youth might...
Explore their bodies
Ask questions about their body parts and the body parts of others
Ask questions about pregnancy and where babies come from
Ask questions about sex and sexual behaviors
Begin to solidify their gender identity and sexual orientation
Ask questions about different types of relationship dynamics (dating, marriage, friendship, sexual orientation)
Begin to develop crushes and/or romantic relationships
Repeat or ask questions about language they hear at school, older siblings, or from media
Begin to show signs of puberty
Ask questions about signs of puberty in themselves and others
Ask questions about contraception and STIs
Make comments about comparing themselves to peers
Seek more independence, responsibility, and autonomy, while still seeking support from adults
Resources for Late Elementary-Middle School by Topic!
Resources with an asterisk* next to them are for supportive adults only. All other resources are to be used by supportive adults and youth together!
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Videos: Amaze for Parents – all topics
Podcast: Teenagers Untangled – all topics
Website: Sex Positive Families – provides education and resources to help families raise sexually healthy children including a book called “Sex Positive Talks to Have with Kids” which is full of conversation starters, reflection exercises and activities
Graphic Novel: Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies and Growing Up by Heather Corinna and Isabella Rotman
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