Puberty
- Adolescence
- Bodies
- Body image
- Consent
- Contraception
- Disabilities
- Emotional literacy
- Families
- Family and domestic violence
- Friendships
- Gender
- Gender diversity
- Guidelines
- Health education
- Health literacy
- Help seeking
- Immunisation
- Intersex variations
- Intimate relationships
- Law
- Media literacy
- Mental health
- Multicultural
- Online
- Parenting
- Pornography
- Protective behaviours
- Puberty
- Reproduction
- Research and reports
- Safer sex
- Sex education
- Sexting
- Sexual diversity
- Sexual health
- Sexual abuse
- Sexualisation
- STIs and BBVs
Puberty
Barriers and prompts to parent-child sexual communication
A research report from 2016 investigating what prompts parents to start the conversation about sexuality with their children. Many parents feel that their children are too young to talk about sexuality, and often don't know how to start the conversation. This article addresses barriers that parents experience in regards to talking about sexuality with their children.
Boys' stuff: Boys talking about what matters
A 224 page non-fiction book. Teenage boys reflect on their lives and cover topics such as: sex, friends, sports, drugs, music, school and family. They explain what the 'rules' are, how they break them and what's 'cool'.
DivaCup - free menstrual cup education resources
Diva International Inc. provides free resources about the DivaCup to health professionals and educators. Menstrual cups are a sustainable menstrual care option. To access a free education pack, contact the Australian distributor - Barton Brands info@bartonbrands.com.au. The educator pack includes: 1 x Model 0 DivaCup (for under 18s); 1 x Model 1 DivaCup (for under 30s and those who have not had a child); 1 x Model 2 DivaCup (for over 30s and/or those who have had a child); 1 x educational brochure.
Dr Yes
The Australian Medical Association of Western Australia (AMA WA) Dr Yes project sends specially trained volunteer medical students into high schools to have frank, open discussions on topics concerning youth health including sexual health. Enquiries can be made through dryes@amawa.com.au
Family Planning NSW
Provides reproductive and sexual health services throughout NSW. Includes a section for teachers.
Family Planning Victoria (FPV)
Provides reproductive and sexual health services throughout Victoria. Includes a section on school programs.
Get the Facts - 'Laugh and Learn' videos
Check out the Get the Facts 'Laugh and Learn' series of videos on the Get the Facts website. Designed to make young people laugh while they learn about puberty, condoms, BBVs and keeping safe in sexual situations.
How to talk to kids about bodies
Non-fiction
A 38 page guide for parents showing them how to have shame-free conversations with their child about their genitals.
Age: Parents and teachers of children 0 to 12 years.
Let's talk about sex
Non-fiction
Biological and psychological information about sex: from puberty and conception to birth control and STIs, including sections on the body, families and babies, and sexual health. New edition includes expanded information on internet, texting safety, contraception and LGBT.
Let's talk about the birds and the bees
Non-fiction
Cartoon illustrated book for parents to read to children about differences between male and female reproductive systems, private body parts, sexual intercourse, love, puberty, what touching is ok/not ok, families. Simple facts as a starting point for conversations.
Book review by Cath Hak 6min (external link)
Age: Parents and teachers of 4 to 11 year olds.
Let's talk about where babies come from
Non-fiction
Comics and cartoons outlining: similarities and differences between girls and boys, growing up, reproductive organs, how babies are made, what sex is, what is love, same sex attraction, conception, pregnancy, different types of birth, genetics (e.g. hair colour), different kinds of families, keeping safe (consensual touch), HIV (but not other STI/BBVs). A book that parents/teachers can read to younger children, or older children can read themselves.
Book review by Cath Hak 4min 36sec.
Age: 7 to 11 years.
Making sense of sex: a forthright guide to puberty, sex and relationships for people with Asperger's Syndrome
A paperback book for teenagers and young adults with Asperger's Syndrome who have questions about puberty, sex and relationships.
Menstrual cycle
(2 min 37 sec animated video) All you need to know about periods and the menstrual cycle explained in simple, clear images and language (Age 9+).
Menstrupedia Comic: the friendly guide to periods for girls
Menstrupedia Comic is an online resource, but there are also book versions available. The website and the book contain answers to questions about periods and provides useful information on menstruation, changing bodies and growing up.
More secret girls' business
Topics: puberty, menstruation.
Non-fiction
Uses simple text and colour illustrations to explain how to manage periods. It includes notes for parents, teachers and carers.
Age: 8+
One in five Australians forced to improvise on period products over costs
SBS News article on period poverty 3 August 2021.
Principles of gender-inclusive puberty and health education (2016)
Providing perspectives and language to account for every student's unique journey through puberty to adulthood.
Puberty and special girls
A simple yet sensitively written picture book that covers changes in bodies and appearance during puberty, good hygiene and other issues including protective behaviours and feelings for young women with special needs.
Puberty booklet
A WA Department of Health booklet addressing the changes that happen during puberty and how to look after yourself during this time. Recently updated in 2021 to combine the 'Girls and puberty' and 'Boys and puberty'. Aimed at ages 10-13 years.
Relationships, sex and other stuff
A WA Department of Health booklet for teenagers addressing friends and relationships, sex and pregnancy.