Where Does The Trombone Go?: The Sex Ed Questions You Won't Believe Kids Ask (and answered by their teachers)

By Jim Seaman and Vivienne Vitalich

This book is a collection of 335 questions about sex and related topics

written by 4th, 5th and 6th grade students and answered by their

teachers. Some of the questions are thoughtful and mature such as:

"When they have sex, do they ask who is going to start it?"

or

"Can a guy have menopause?"

Others can be a

• Language: English
• Publisher: Writers Branding LLC
• Release date: Jun 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781639450053

Book preview

Chapter 1

What Is Puberty?

This was an actual question that a 4th grade student asked so we thought we would start the book off with it!

How do we get to be adults?

Soon your body will change into an adult’s. This special time of change is called puberty. Your body will know the right time to start. Boys will get taller, their voices will get deeper, they will grow hair on their face, armpits, and private parts; and their bodies will start making sperm. Girls will get taller, grow breasts, grow hair on their armpits and private parts; their bodies will start making eggs, and they will get their period.

Does puberty only happen once?

Yes, but it lasts a few years. Usually puberty starts between the ages of 8-13 for girls and 9-15 for boys. Puberty is the time your body changes from a child’s to an adult’s. Once all these changes have happened, then puberty is over.

Is it bad if you start puberty late?

I’m sure this is something that a lot of you might think about. No. Puberty is when your body begins to develop and change as you move closer to adulthood. For girls this process usually starts between the ages of 8 and 13 and for boys between 9 and 15. Remember these are the ages that puberty starts. It lasts a few years and these changes do not happen in the same order or same time to everyone. It is important to know that everyone’s body is unique and will develop at the pace that is exactly right for them.

Why do we have to have puberty?

Your body has been growing and changing since before you were born and will continue to change for the rest of your life. Puberty is just one of these phases.

Does it hurt?

Puberty usually does not hurt. Some people experience growing pains from getting taller quickly, but this is not specific to puberty. Some girls may experience cramps or headaches during or before their periods, but these do not last long.

When do you know when puberty is over?

When puberty ends, there will not be any signal that it is over, but you can check to see if all the expected changes have occurred. If you are a boy that means that you have gotten taller, your voice has gotten deeper, and hair has started growing on your face, armpits, and private parts. If you are a girl, that means you have gotten taller, your breasts have grown, hair has started growing on your private parts, and you have gotten your period. When these things have happened, it means that your body has developed into adulthood and puberty is over.

Why don’t girls’ voices change?

Girls’ voices DO change a little. During puberty, the voice box, or larynx, grows in both sexes, but is more noticeable in boys. Boys’ vocal cords grow longer and thicker, which causes their voice to get deeper while the girls voices go through fewer changes.

Why do we have to do this Health thingy?

Thank you for asking this question. I’m sure there are a lot of you who have wondered the same thing. This is taught in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades because that is when your body starts to change. Most students know some of this information through siblings, parents, friends and even movies. But a lot of the information you have may be incorrect or only partially correct. Some of you do not have the answers to many of your questions. This gives all of you the opportunity to have your questions answered and even have some mature discussions. With correct information, you will have a better understanding and be more prepared.

What are pubic hairs?

Pubic hair is what we call the hair that grows in the private parts between your legs. Pubic hairs are one sign that puberty has started.

Can girls have a lot of hair on their vagina?

Yes, this is possible. Both boys and girls will grow pubic hairs. Each person will grow a different amount. By the time you are an adult, you will probably have a lot of hair there.

Does everyone have hair down there?

Yes. Part of puberty is that both boys and girls will grow hair down there.

If a girl and a guy get hair in their things, does that mean that they have their puberty or not?

Yes, growing pubic hair is part of puberty. The hair is not in their private parts, but rather outside and around it.

Why do girls grow hair between their legs?

Growing pubic hair for both boys and girls is part of puberty. Scientists think that the purpose of pubic hair is to help protect very important parts of your body.

How can you remove hair between your legs?

Most people don’t worry about this. Removing pubic hair has many disadvantages and it is important that you know that hair removal often causes rashes, redness, chemical burns, pimples, blisters, itching and infections. There is a purpose to having pubic hair as it offers some protection against infections.

That being said, some people still decide to remove their pubic hair. Some temporary measures are shaving, creams, and waxing. Again, this can likely result in itching, burns, rashes, etc. Some people use laser technology, a permanent treatment which will destroy the hair root.

Why does your body go through all of these stages?

Your body, like all living things, is always growing and changing a little bit. You have been doing this since the day you were born. You changed from a baby to toddler to a child. Soon you will enter puberty. After that is adulthood and old age. It’s all a part of life.

Is puberty a germ/bacteria?

Puberty is NOT a germ, nor a bacteria. Puberty is what we call the special time in your life when your body changes from a child’s to an adult’s. During this time, your body’s hormones might be producing more oil and sweat, which can start to smell badly when mixed with the germs and bacteria of the world. That’s why it’s important to start showering or bathing almost every day. Make sure you use soap as part of your hygiene routine. This is also the time when many people choose to start using deodorant.

Why is sweat good for you?

Sweating is how your body cools itself. However, when sweat stays on the skin and clothes too long, it can start to smell very bad, which is why people should shower almost every day. The average person has 2.6 million sweat glands in their skin.

What does hygiene mean?

Hygiene is a word we use to describe all the things we do to stay clean. Brushing your