Helping girls understand their changing bodies
Girls deserve more than a two-hour puberty lesson, to learn about the body they will live in for the rest of their lives.
Our bodies, hormones and brains change dramatically throughout their life, yet many women go through life, with very little knowledge about what's happening inside their bodies, and little language to explain what they are experiencing.
Taryn Darlow delivers engaging, age-appropriate health and wellbeing workshops that help girls develop body literacy, cycle awareness and confidence to understand their changing bodies, recognise what is normal, know when to seek support and care for themselves throughout adolescence and beyond.
Our bodies, hormones and brains change dramatically throughout their life, yet many women go through life, with very little knowledge about what's happening inside their bodies, and little language to explain what they are experiencing.
Why this education matters
For many girls, menstrual education starts and ends with learning what a period is.
But menstruation is not simply a monthly bleed. It is part of a complex biological process involving hormones, the brain, emotions, energy, sleep, physical symptoms and reproductive health.
When girls don't understand these changes, they can be left wondering:
"Is this normal?"
"Why do I feel like this?"
"Why am I so tired?"
"Why does my period hurt so much?"
"Should I be worried?"
"Who can I talk to?"
Education gives girls the language to ask these questions and the confidence to seek appropriate support when they need it.
The education gap is real
Australia's 2024 Bloody Big Survey, conducted by Share the Dignity, highlighted a significant gap in menstrual education.
Only 15% of respondents said they were well educated about menstruation before their first period.
49.4% said they were somewhat educated, but wished they had known more.
Among respondents aged 10–19, almost half (48.3%) reported receiving no education or wishing they had known more before their first period.
The impact extends beyond the classroom.
63% of respondents reported that they had at least sometimes missed class because of their period, while 68% had missed sport.
These findings demonstrate why menstrual education needs to be more than a one-off conversation about periods.
Girls need ongoing health literacy. Girls deserve to understand the whole picture.
Traditional puberty education often focuses on the physical changes of adolescence. These are important but they are only part of the story.
My programs explore the physical, hormonal, emotional, mental and social dimensions of growing up, using language and concepts appropriate to each developmental stage.
Girls learn not only what is happening, but begin to understand why.
They learn to:
- Understand why they have a menstrual cycle and how it works
- Understand the role of hormones
- Recognise changes in their body throughout the cycle
- Identify patterns in their physical and emotional wellbeing
- Understand what is common and what may require further support
- Develop practical strategies for managing their wellbeing
- Reduce shame and embarrassment around menstruation
- Communicate confidently about their health
- Know when and how to seek help from a trusted adult or health professional
- Develop greater respect and understanding of their changing bodies
A progressive approach to girls' health education
Growing Bodies
Cycle Awareness
Cycle Awareness
Years 5-6
Understanding puberty, periods and the changing body.
A foundational introduction to puberty and menstrual health, helping students understand what is happening as their bodies begin to change.
Students explore:
- What puberty is and why it happens
- Physical changes during puberty
- An introduction to the menstrual cycle
- What a period is and what to expect
- Menstrual products and practical preparation
- Body changes and different rates of development
- Emotional changes during puberty
- What is normal and when to ask for help
- Language and confidence to talk about their bodies
The goal: Girls leave feeling informed, prepared and less intimidated by the changes ahead.
Please note: Girls are getting their period as early as 8 years old. This program can be modified to be more suitable for children in years 3&4.
Cycle Awareness
Cycle Awareness
Cycle Awareness
Years 7–9
Understanding your cycle, hormones, emotions and wellbeing.
Once girls have begun menstruating, education can move beyond simply managing a period.
This workshop helps students understand the menstrual cycle as a whole and explore how hormonal changes can relate to their experiences throughout the month.
Students explore:
- The four phases of the menstrual cycle
- Hormones and their role in the body
- Ovulation and why it matters
- Changes in energy, mood and physical wellbeing
- PMS and common menstrual symptoms
- Sleep, nutrition, movement and self-care
- Understanding personal patterns
- What is normal and what isn't
- When to seek help
- How to communicate concerns to a parent, trusted adult or health professional
The goal: Girls begin to understand their bodies rather than simply managing their periods.
Cycle Health
Cycle Awareness
Nurture Her Parent Session
Years 10–12
Understanding your cycle, recognising symptoms and knowing when to seek help.
Senior students can develop a deeper understanding of menstrual and reproductive health as they transition towards adulthood.
The workshop introduces students to common reproductive health conditions and gives them the language and knowledge to recognise when something may warrant further investigation.
Topics may include:
- Menstrual health and hormonal wellbeing
- Understanding menstrual symptoms
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Significant or persistent period pain
- Irregular cycles
- Endometriosis
- Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS formally PCOS)
- Fertility awareness and reproductive health
- Tracking symptoms and communicating them effectively
- When to seek medical advice
- Advocating for yourself in healthcare settings
- Caring for your body as you transition into adulthood
The goal: Students leave with greater health literacy and the confidence to recognise when something doesn't feel right and to seek appropriate support.
Nurture Her Parent Session
Growing Up W.I.S.E - Parent Program for Boys & Girls
Nurture Her Parent Session
Parents are often expected to guide their daughters through puberty despite having received very little education themselves.
My parent sessions explore the changes of puberty from a whole-person perspective, including the physical, hormonal, emotional, neurological and social changes that can occur during adolescence.
Parents learn:
- What is happening biologically during puberty
- How hormones interact with the brain and body
- Why emotions and behaviour can change
- How to distinguish normal developmental changes from concerns that may need support
- How to talk about periods without shame or embarrassment
- How to create an environment where girls feel safe asking questions
- How to support their daughters with greater patience, empathy and perspective
- When it may be appropriate to seek professional help
A recurring theme in my adult education sessions is:
"I wish I had been taught this at school."
When parents understand more about what their daughters are experiencing, they are better equipped to respond with understanding rather than frustration and to give their daughters the grace and support they need while navigating a rapidly changing body and brain.
Growing Up W.I.S.E - Parent Program for Boys & Girls
Growing Up W.I.S.E - Parent Program for Boys & Girls
Growing Up W.I.S.E - Parent Program for Boys & Girls
Puberty is more than physical change.
Growing Up W.I.S.E is a parent education program designed to help parents understand the journey of puberty from a whole-person perspective, not simply the physical milestones, but the changes happening in a child's body, brain, emotions, identity, relationships and sense of self.
Using the WISE framework, parents are guided through what is happening, why it is happening, and how they can support their child through this significant period of development.
W — Wellbeing of the Whole Being
I — Identity
S — Safety & Social Changes
E — Education & Empowerment
Parents learn:
- What happens throughout the puberty timeline, including the changes that can begin before the more obvious physical signs
- What is happening biologically and hormonally
- How hormones interact with the developing brain and body
- Why emotions, behaviour, sleep, energy and social awareness can change
- How puberty can affect a child's developing identity and sense of self
- What is typical development and what may warrant further support
- How to talk about bodies, periods and puberty without shame or embarrassment
- How to create an environment where children feel safe asking questions
- How to respond with greater patience, empathy and perspective
- When it may be appropriate to seek support from a health or other qualified professional
Faith, Body & Sexuality - COMING SOON
Growing Up W.I.S.E - Parent Program for Boys & Girls
Growing Up W.I.S.E - Parent Program for Boys & Girls
A Catholic approach to understanding the body, fertility, sexuality and human dignity
I am currently developing a Catholic-specific program for schools wanting to explore questions of the body, sexuality, fertility, relationships and faith within the Catholic tradition.
The program will explore topics such as:
- The dignity and sacredness of the human body
- The design and purpose of the reproductive system
- Fertility & procreation as a natural part of the body's design
- Sexuality and the whole person
- Relationships, dignity and respect
- Consent and personal boundaries
- Chastity and the Catholic understanding of sexuality
- The Church's teaching on sex and marriage
- The Church's teaching on contraception
- How young people can understand their bodies within a faith-based worldview
This program is currently in development.
If your school is interested in discussing what this could look like within your community, I would love to hear from you.
Alignment with the Australian Curriculum
The programs complement relevant areas of the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education, including learning related to:
Personal, social and community health
Identities and change
Puberty and changes across the lifespan
Health literacy
Mental health and wellbeing
Body image and self-worth
Help-seeking and accessing health resources
Respectful relationships and consent, where appropriate to the year level
The programs can be adapted to complement your school's existing HPE, wellbeing and pastoral care programs.