Lesson Plan

Growing With Confidence Lesson Plan

Empower 6th-grade girls with intellectual disabilities to recognize basic puberty changes, learn menstrual hygiene and self-care routines through hands-on, tactile activities, fostering confidence and independence in body awareness.

Many students with intellectual disabilities benefit from concrete, hands-on learning to reduce anxiety around puberty, improve personal hygiene habits, and build self-confidence in managing bodily changes.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Understanding Puberty Changes

10 minutes

Step 3

Exploring Self-Care Routines

10 minutes

Step 4

Menstrual Hygiene Hands-On

10 minutes

Step 5

Role-Play & Practice

5 minutes

Step 6

Review & Reflection

5 minutes

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Slide Deck

Growing With Confidence

Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and briefly explain that today’s lesson is a safe space to learn about changes in our bodies. Establish a friendly tone.

Lesson Objectives

Read the objectives aloud and check for understanding. Emphasize that we will learn, practice, and ask questions freely.

Class Agreements

Go over each agreement. Invite students to share one rule they think is important. Reinforce privacy and kindness.

What Is Puberty?

Show the Puberty Basics Visual Aid Cards as you define puberty simply: “Puberty is when our bodies grow and change to become adults.”

Body Changes During Puberty

Use clear, simple language as you describe each change. Hold up each card from [Puberty Basics Visual Aid Cards](#puberty-basics-visual-aid-cards).

Explore with a Tactile Model

Pass around the [Tactile Reproductive System Model](#tactile-reproductive-system-model). Prompt students: “Can you touch and name this part?” Offer assistance.

Self-Care Routines

Show each [Self-Care Routine Picture Card](#self-care-routine-picture-cards) and describe the step. Then shuffle cards and let students arrange them in order.

Menstrual Hygiene Basics

Introduce the [Menstrual Hygiene Starter Kit](#menstrual-hygiene-starter-kit) items one by one. Demonstrate how to open and place a pad on a cloth doll.

Hands-On Menstrual Practice

Demonstrate the pad-changing steps slowly. Then invite each student to practice on a cloth doll while you guide them.

Role-Play Activity

Explain the role-play scenario: greeting, hand­washing, pad change, disposal. Pair students and circulate to support.

Review & Reflection

Recap each main step. Invite volunteers to share what they learned or ask questions. Give positive feedback.

Questions & Support

Remind students that they can always ask staff privately. Share any additional resources or contact information.

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Activity

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Worksheet

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Growing With Confidence

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Brianna Mancino

Tier 2
For Schools
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