FEMALE STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

Stage One: Stage Two: Stage Three: Stage Four: Stage Five: Up to ages 8 to 12 May begin ages 8 to 14 May begin ages 9 to 15 May begin ages 10 to 16 May begin ages 12 to 19 • Childhood stage; • Height and weight • Height continues to • Underarm • Adult stage; overall no visible signs increase rapidly increase appears look is that of a of pubertal • Breast buds appear; • Breasts become • The and the young development become rounder and fuller dark area around it • Areola rejoins breast raised and this area • becomes (areola) may stick out contour and breast may be tender darker, thicker and from the rest of the development is • Fine, straight hair curlier breast complete starts growing close • Hips may start to • Pubic hair starts to • Pubic hair forms a to the labia widen in relation to form a triangular thick, curly, triangular waist, giving a patch in front and patch softer, more around sides of the • Adult height is All children progress through the five stages rounded shape genital area probably reached of - although the age at which they do so varies widely. Dr. James Tanner, a pioneer • begins • For many girls, • Ovulation and in the field of growth research, developed the secreting a clear, ovulation and menstruation occur five stages of puberty by describing the notice- whitish fluid called menstruation begin regularly able physical changes. vaginal discharge during this stage

J.M. Tanner: Growth of Adolescents. Oxford: • For some girls, Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1962. ovulation and menstruation begin late in this stage MALE STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

Stage One: Stage Two: Stage Three: Stage Four: Stage Five: Up to ages 9 to 13 May begin ages 9 to 15 May begin ages 11 to 16 May begin ages 12 to 17 May begin ages 14 to 18 • Childhood stage; • and scro- • Testicles and • Growth spurt continues • Adult stage; overall no visible signs tum grow larger, continue to • Shoulders begin to look is that of a young of pubertal redden grow broaden and physique development • Fine, straight hair • grows larger becomes more muscular  Genitals and pubic hair starts growing at • Pubic hair becomes • Penis grows in width as have an adult the base of the darker, thicker and well as length appearance penis curlier  Pubic hair coarsens and • Growth spurt slows • Vocal cords increase takes on a triangular down in size, causing shape • growth voice to deepen • appears becomes heavier • Height and weight • Traces of hair may • growth, Chastity Education, Diocese of Erie may start to appear on upper lip and especially on the chest, Kate Whiteford, Director of Chastity Education increase noticeably chin may continue into the 429 East Grandview Boulevard • Testicles start to 20s P.O. Box 10397 produce sperm; Erie, PA 16514-0397 ejaculation occurs for (814) 824-1259 the first time 2012 PARENTS: Please keep this sheet for reference during your child’s adolescent years.