Health: Growth and Development Physical and Emotional Changes
Understanding body changes, feelings, hygiene, and healthy support
Health: Growth and Development Physical and Emotional Changes
Understanding body changes, feelings, hygiene, and healthy support
Health - Grade 4-5
- 1
Explain what growth and development mean in health class.
Think about changes from being a baby to being your age now.
Growth means the body gets bigger or changes in size. Development means the body, brain, feelings, and skills change over time as a person gets older. - 2
Name three physical changes that can happen as children grow older.
Three physical changes that can happen are getting taller, gaining weight as the body grows, and growing more body hair. Other correct examples include skin becoming oilier, sweating more, or the voice changing. - 3
A student notices they are sweating more after recess than they did when they were younger. Describe one healthy hygiene habit that can help.
Think about ways to keep skin and clothes clean.
One healthy hygiene habit is washing the body regularly with soap and water. Wearing clean clothes and using deodorant when a trusted adult says it is appropriate can also help with body odor. - 4
Some students grow taller earlier than classmates, and some grow taller later. Explain why it is important not to tease people about growth changes.
It is important not to tease people because everyone grows at a different time and pace. Teasing can hurt feelings, and respectful words help classmates feel safe and accepted. - 5
What is puberty?
Use the words normal, body, and change in your answer.
Puberty is a normal stage of growth when a child's body begins changing toward an adult body. These changes can happen at different ages for different people. - 6
Look at the feeling thermometer. A student feels calm at the bottom, worried in the middle, and very angry at the top. Write two healthy ways the student could calm down before acting.
Choose actions that are safe and respectful.
The student could take slow breaths and talk to a trusted adult. The student could also take a short break, count to ten, write about the feeling, or use kind words to ask for help. - 7
During growth and development, emotions can feel stronger or change quickly. Explain why this can happen.
Emotions can change quickly because the brain and body are growing and hormones can affect feelings. Stress, friendships, sleep, and family changes can also affect emotions. - 8
List three trusted adults a student could talk to if they have questions about body changes or feelings.
Trusted adults are safe, respectful, and helpful.
A student could talk to a parent or guardian, a school nurse, a teacher, a counselor, a doctor, or another safe family member. Trusted adults listen, give accurate information, and help keep the student safe. - 9
A classmate says they feel embarrassed because their skin is getting more pimples. Write a kind response you could say.
A kind response could be, "That happens to lots of people as they grow, and you are not alone." It is respectful to avoid teasing and to remind the classmate that skin changes are common. - 10
Explain how enough sleep can support healthy growth and emotions.
Think about how you feel after a very short night of sleep.
Enough sleep helps the body grow, repair, and have energy. Sleep also helps the brain learn, focus, and manage emotions during the day. - 11
Match each change with the type of change: getting taller, feeling nervous about a new class, needing to wash hair more often, wanting more privacy. Write physical or emotional next to each one.
Getting taller is a physical change. Feeling nervous about a new class is an emotional change. Needing to wash hair more often is related to a physical change. Wanting more privacy can be an emotional and social change. - 12
Look at the hygiene kit. Choose four items and explain how each one helps during growth and development.
Explain what each item does, not just its name.
Soap helps clean the skin. A toothbrush and toothpaste help keep teeth clean. Shampoo helps clean hair. Deodorant can help manage body odor when it is appropriate to use. A clean towel helps dry the body after washing. - 13
A student feels frustrated because a friend does not want to play the same games anymore. Explain one respectful way to handle this change.
A respectful way to handle this change is to talk calmly and listen to the friend's feelings. The student could suggest a new activity they both enjoy or spend time with other friends too. - 14
Why is personal space important as people grow and change?
Use the words safe, respect, and ask in your answer.
Personal space is important because everyone has a right to feel comfortable and safe. Asking before touching someone or using their belongings shows respect for their boundaries. - 15
Create a healthy growth plan with one habit for the body, one habit for emotions, and one habit for getting help when needed.
A healthy growth plan could include eating balanced meals and being active for the body, using deep breathing or journaling for emotions, and talking to a trusted adult when help is needed. The best plan includes safe habits that can be practiced regularly.