Grade 7 Life Skills Based Sexuality Education cheat sheet

Puberty is the period of sexual maturation triggered by increased GnRH, which raises LH and FSH and drives gonadal hormone production.

Typical onset: girls 8–13 years (breast budding first), boys 9–14 years (testicular enlargement first); a range of about 4–5 years is normal.

Tanner staging runs 1–5: girls use breast and pubic hair stages; boys use genital (testis/scrotum) and pubic hair stages.

Girls' growth spurt peaks around Tanner breast stage 2–3; boys' peaks later, around genital stage 3–4, which is why boys often end taller.

Menarche occurs late in puberty, typically 2–2.5 years after breast budding; early cycles are often anovulatory and irregular.

Nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) are a normal sign of pubertal progression in boys and are not a health problem.

Adolescence is broader than puberty: it includes cognitive, emotional, and social development continuing into the mid-20s.

Delayed puberty red flags: no breast development by 13 (girls) or no testicular enlargement by 14 (boys) warrant medical assessment.

Internal female organs: ovaries (ova and hormones), fallopian tubes (fertilization site), uterus (implantation and gestation), cervix, vagina.

Ovaries produce estradiol and progesterone plus small amounts of androgens; the corpus luteum forms after ovulation and secretes progesterone.

The menstrual cycle averages 28 days but 21–35 days is normal; day 1 is the first day of bleeding.

Ovulation occurs roughly 14 days before the next period, not always day 14 of the cycle.

The uterus has three layers: endometrium (shed during menses), myometrium (muscle), and perimetrium (outer serosa).

Male organs: testes (sperm and testosterone), epididymis (sperm maturation), vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral glands, penis.

Sperm production (spermatogenesis) occurs in seminiferous tubules and takes about 64–74 days; testosterone comes from Leydig cells.

Fertilization normally occurs in the fallopian tube; the zygote then travels to the uterus for implantation about 6–10 days later.

Adolescents need about 8–10 hours of sleep; circadian delay in puberty makes late bedtimes biologically likely.

Iron needs rise in adolescence, especially for menstruating girls; iron-deficiency anemia is a common adolescent issue.

Calcium and vitamin D intake support peak bone mass, which is largely laid down during adolescence.

Personal hygiene changes at puberty: daily washing, deodorant use, and clean menstrual products reduce odor and infection risk.

Acne in puberty is driven by androgens increasing sebum; it is not caused by poor hygiene alone.

Body image concerns peak in adolescence; rapid growth and weight changes are normal and vary widely in timing.

Warning signs needing care: very heavy or prolonged bleeding, severe pain, fainting, persistent low mood, or rapid unexplained weight change.

Substance use, including vaping and alcohol, harms developing brains; the adolescent brain is more vulnerable to addiction.

Consent is an active, ongoing, freely given yes; it can be withdrawn at any time and cannot be given while incapacitated.

Healthy relationship markers: mutual respect, honesty, shared decision-making, and the ability to say no without punishment.

Warning signs of unhealthy relationships: control of friends or phone, jealousy framed as love, isolation, threats, and guilt-tripping.

"I" statements follow the pattern: feeling + situation + need (e.g., "I feel ignored when plans change without a message; I need a heads-up").

Active listening means reflecting back what was heard before responding, not planning a rebuttal.

Boundaries are statements of what a person will do, not demands on others' behavior.

Peer pressure resistance uses broken-record repetition, delay tactics, and choosing friends who respect limits.

Conflict resolution separates the person from the problem and seeks a solution both parties can accept.

Abstinence is the only method with zero risk of pregnancy and STIs; effectiveness of other methods is measured per 100 people per year.

Condoms are the only contraceptive that also reduces STI risk; they must be used correctly every time and checked for damage and expiry.

Typical-use failure rates are higher than perfect-use rates for all user-dependent methods, including condoms and pills.

Long-acting reversible contraception (implants, IUDs) has failure rates under 1% per year and does not depend on user action.

STI testing is recommended after unprotected sex or a new partner; many STIs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be asymptomatic.

HIV transmission risk is greatly reduced by condoms, testing, and antiretroviral treatment that suppresses viral load.

Emergency contraception works mainly by delaying ovulation and is more effective the sooner it is taken.

HPV vaccination is most effective before exposure, ideally in early adolescence; hepatitis B also has a vaccine.

Sex refers to biological characteristics; gender refers to socially constructed roles, behaviors, and expectations.

Gender norms are learned from family, peers, media, religion, and institutions and vary across cultures and time.

Gender stereotypes can limit choices, such as boys discouraged from expressing emotion or girls discouraged from leadership.

Gender-based violence includes physical, emotional, sexual, and economic harm and is rooted in unequal power, not biology.

Double standards often judge the same behavior differently by gender, for example attitudes toward assertiveness or sexual experience.

Media frequently reinforces gender stereotypes through repetition of appearance and role patterns rather than reflecting all people.

Challenging norms starts with noticing assumptions and using inclusive language rather than assuming roles by gender.

Equity means treating people fairly according to need, which may differ from treating everyone identically.

A structured decision model: identify the decision, list options, weigh consequences for self and others, decide, act, then review.

The STOP method: Stop, Think, consider Options, Proceed - used when under pressure or in an unexpected situation.

Refusal skills include clear direct no, repeated no (broken record), offering an alternative, leaving, and using a trusted adult.

Assertiveness differs from aggression: assertive communication states a limit calmly; aggression attacks the person.

Delay tactics such as "not now" or "I need to think" are legitimate refusal strategies and buy time.

Peer influence is strongest in early adolescence; predicting a risky situation in advance improves refusal success.

Consequences should be weighed short-term versus long-term and for self versus others.

A decision that requires secrecy from all trusted adults is a warning sign worth re-examining.

Media literacy questions: who made this, what is the purpose, what is omitted, what evidence is given, and who benefits.

Online content about bodies and sex is often curated or commercial; it is not a reliable source of health information.

Sexting and sharing intimate images carry legal, social, and permanence risks; images can be copied and redistributed.

Digital footprints persist: posts, messages, and images can be screenshotted and shared beyond the intended audience.

Reliable health sources include school health services, clinics, and national public health agencies rather than anonymous forums.

Trusted-adult networks should be identified before a crisis: a parent or caregiver, teacher, school counselor, or health worker.

Confidentiality limits: professionals may need to disclose when there is risk of harm to the young person or others.

Help-seeking steps: name the problem, choose a trusted person, state what is needed, and follow up if the response is inadequate.