Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change

About this chapter

Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change is the sixth chapter of Class 7 Curiosity. Through the conversation between Venkatesh and his 12-year-old cousin Devyani, students explore the rapid growth between ages 10-19 that marks adolescence. The chapter covers visible physical changes — increase in height, weight and strength, growth of the voice box (Adam's apple) and hoarse voice in boys, appearance of hair in armpits and pubic region, facial hair in boys, breast development in girls, and acne with pimples due to oily skin secretions. Internal changes include the onset of the menstrual cycle every 28-30 days, lasting 3-7 days, ending naturally between 45-55 years. Features that distinguish males from females but are not directly involved in reproduction are called secondary sexual characteristics; the stage of becoming capable of reproduction is puberty. Emotional changes — mood swings, strong emotions — can be channelled into music, dance, sports and social work. The chapter then teaches healthy living: a nutritious diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, calcium, iron and vitamin B12 (linked to scientist Dorothy Hodgkin); personal hygiene including menstrual hygiene with sanitary pads, supported by government schemes — MHS, RKSK, Suvidha, Shuchi; regular physical activity; balanced social life with respectful online behaviour avoiding cyberbullying; and saying NO to addictive substances like tobacco, gutka, alcohol and drugs (Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, helpline 14446). Hormones — chemicals produced in the body in response to brain signals — control these changes. CTET Paper 2 Science tests this chapter through definition recall (puberty vs adolescence, primary vs secondary sexual characteristics), menstrual cycle facts, deficiency-disease links, government scheme names and pedagogy of sensitive topics. The four tests — Practice 15 Q, Quiz 15 Q, Hard 15 Q, Mastery 30 Q — cover these ideas at exam depth.