“ Periods are normal, but unfortunately, menstrual cycle education is often lacking.... As a result, you may be embarrassed, confused, or unsure about your period and the symptoms.”
– Dr. A. Michael Coppa
When I was 10 years old, I excitedly woke my mom up, telling her that I had gotten my first period overnight. She showed me where the pads and pain relief were kept, and asked me if I had any questions. I asked her when the blood would turn red. She looked at me confused before asking to see the underwear I was wearing overnight. That is the day that I learned what vaginal discharge is.
The truth is, during my 5th and 6th grade health classes, my public school education failed to prepare me for the upcoming changes that my body was going to be experiencing. We were separated by sex, boys in one classroom and girls in the other, and taught the bare minimum about "how to deal" with our periods. No mention of period products outside of pads and tampons was present, and even basic body parts were left out of the conversation.
I want to give students the information they need to navigate this natural part of life. My lessons will strive to keep children interested and involved in the education of their bodies in an age appropriate way. My lessons can be adapted for ages 7-16, and even beyond. I will always work to use gender-inclusive language, and remind the young minds that I am teaching that is it not just women who get periods. Trans and non-binary people can experience the menstrual cycle as well. Everything I teach will be with anatomically correct verbiage, which will give the children the chance to learn about their body and help give them the confidence to ask questions to trusted adults. The period is a natural part of life, and when the stigma and embarrassment is taken away, the learning and curiosity can finally begin.