Puberty Vocabulary Sheet — Parent Reference
One of the most common challenges parents face when talking about puberty is not always knowing the right words to use. Many adults were never taught the correct terms themselves or grew up using nicknames and slang for body parts and puberty-related topics. This can make conversations with children feel awkward or confusing, especially if you worry about saying something wrong. The Puberty Vocabulary Sheet — Parent Reference has been created to solve this problem in a simple and parent-friendly way.
This printable sheet provides a clear, straightforward list of the key words and phrases most children will encounter when learning about puberty. Each word is explained in plain, respectful language so you, as a parent, can understand exactly what it means and feel confident using it. The sheet avoids complicated medical jargon, making it suitable for all parents, including those who may not have had formal education or access to good puberty education themselves.
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| Puberty Vocabulary Sheet — Parent Reference | |
|---|---|
| Hormones | Special chemicals made by the body that control changes during puberty, like growth, mood, and physical development. |
| Puberty | The time when a child’s body begins to develop into an adult body, capable of reproduction. Involves emotional and physical changes. |
| Menstruation / Period | Monthly bleeding that happens as the uterus sheds its lining. A normal part of puberty for girls and some transgender or non-binary people. |
| Testicles | Part of the male reproductive system. They produce sperm and testosterone (a key puberty hormone). |
| Penis | Part of the male reproductive system. It grows during puberty and is involved in urination and reproduction. |
| Breasts | Part of the female body that develops during puberty due to the effects of the hormone oestrogen. |
| Oestrogen | The main hormone involved in the physical changes of puberty for girls. |
| Testosterone | The main hormone involved in the physical changes of puberty for boys. |
| Growth Spurt | A sudden and noticeable period of rapid height and body growth common during puberty. |
| Body Hair | Hair that grows on the pubic area, underarms, legs, face (boys), and other parts of the body as part of puberty. |
| Voice Breaking | When the voice deepens due to changes in the voice box (larynx). More common and noticeable in boys. |
| Wet Dream | When a boy ejaculates (releases semen) during sleep. A normal part of puberty. |
| Acne | Spots or pimples caused by oily skin and blocked pores. Common during puberty due to hormonal changes. |
| Self-Esteem | How someone feels about themselves. Puberty can affect self-esteem due to changes in body image and confidence. |
| Gender Identity | A person’s internal sense of whether they are male, female, both, neither, or something else. This may or may not match the sex they were assigned at birth. |
| Sexual Orientation | Who someone is romantically or physically attracted to (e.g., heterosexual, gay, bisexual, etc.). |
| Consent | Giving clear permission for something to happen, especially important when talking about relationships and bodies. |
| Body Image | How someone feels about their appearance. Often influenced by media, peers, and self-esteem. |
| Emotions | Feelings like happiness, sadness, anger, or anxiety. Emotions often feel stronger during puberty due to hormonal changes. |
The vocabulary list includes words related to physical changes, like periods, voice breaking, erections, growth spurts, and body hair, as well as emotional and social terms like self-esteem, body image, consent, and gender identity. It is fully gender-inclusive, making it useful for families raising boys, girls, or children who are exploring their identity. This ensures you are prepared to explain things clearly no matter what your child asks.
For home educators, this sheet is particularly valuable as part of any personal, social, or health education topic. It can be used as a personal reference when planning lessons or to prepare before having sensitive discussions. It also works well as a teaching tool — older children may even benefit from reading it directly to help build their understanding of new words they may have heard from friends, media, or other sources.
Using correct vocabulary helps children feel less embarrassed or confused. It also helps reduce shame around natural body changes and encourages open, honest conversations. Children notice when adults hesitate, avoid certain words, or seem unsure — this resource will help you speak with more confidence and clarity.
The sheet can also be used alongside the other puberty resources in this toolkit, including The Hard Questions & How To Answer Them, How to Talk About Puberty, and the Puberty Timeline Cheat Sheet, to build a complete, supportive approach to teaching about growing up.
Whether you are introducing these words for the first time, refreshing your knowledge, or building confidence to answer tricky questions, this vocabulary sheet gives you a solid starting point to support your child’s learning and wellbeing during puberty.