Welcome To Your Period
#1 in Welcome to Your Body Series
What’s inside...
Welcome To Your Period is a comprehensive and friendly guide aimed at young girls who are about to experience or have just started their menstrual cycle. Written by Yumi Stynes, this book provides a candid, reassuring, and often humorous look at what it means to get your period. It covers a range of topics including the biology of menstruation, how to manage the physical and emotional changes, choosing menstrual products, and dealing with PMS. The book also addresses common questions and myths, and includes personal anecdotes and tips to help girls navigate this new phase of life with confidence and knowledge.
Discussion points
What did you find most surprising or interesting about learning about periods?
How do you feel about the changes discussed in the book, and what concerns might you have?
The book talks about managing period symptoms. Which tips do you think might be helpful for you?
How can we as a family support each other in understanding and discussing periods openly?
Tip: Role play these questions
Create a comfortable and private setting to discuss the topic, reassuring your child that their feelings and questions are valid.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings by sharing your own experiences or feelings when you first learned about periods.
Refer directly to passages or illustrations in the book that may help clarify any misconceptions or answer specific questions your child might have.
Normalize the conversation about periods by integrating the topic into regular family discussions, emphasizing that it’s a natural part of life.
Praise your child for their curiosity and willingness to learn about their body, reinforcing a positive and proactive attitude towards personal health.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Body Positivity and Acceptance
Explanation: The book explores the changes that occur during puberty, emphasizing that these changes are a natural part of growing up and should be embraced positively.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to accept and love their bodies as they are, and understand that everyone goes through these changes, promoting a healthier body image.
Example Lesson: Open Communication
Explanation: It encourages open discussions about periods and puberty between children and parents or guardians, breaking down the taboos surrounding the topic.
Real-World Application: This can foster a more open and trusting relationship between children and their parents, making it easier to discuss other personal or sensitive issues.
Example Lesson: Education on Menstruation
Explanation: The book provides factual and medical information about menstruation, helping to demystify and destigmatize this natural process.
Real-World Application: Armed with this knowledge, children can approach their own or others’ periods with understanding and empathy, reducing stigma and bullying.
Example Lesson: Preparedness and Self-care
Explanation: It offers practical advice on managing periods, including what products to use and how to maintain hygiene.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this knowledge to manage their periods effectively, promoting self-care and independence.
Example Lesson: Empowerment Through Knowledge
Explanation: Understanding the why and how of periods empowers children, particularly girls, to feel more in control and less anxious about the changes they experience.
Real-World Application: This knowledge equips children to handle their own bodily changes with confidence and can help them educate and support their peers, promoting a supportive community.