Co-hosts Phyllis and Jessica are joined by some very special guests, the authors of the highly anticipated book, This is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained.  And boy do we dig into puberty in this exciting episode!

The most jaw-dropping fact about modern-day growing up is how much earlier it begins. Today’s kids enter puberty an average of two years younger than their parents did. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear about kids riding their first wave of hormonal surges three, four, or even five years sooner than the people raising them.

The second most stunning fact is how much longer this whole process lasts. Thanks to its mood swings and painfully awkward physical shifts, puberty as a stage of life tends to be equal parts feared and dreaded by educators and parents. At least, reason would dictate, by starting earlier it must progress faster, expediting everyone through this phase. Right? Actually, no. Rather than speeding up, the time line of puberty has stretched like taffy. 

So what can educators do with this information? How can they support kids and parents through this challenging time? Vanessa and Cara share some practical tips that will leave you feeling less cringy about this pivotal time in students lives. 

Middle School Walk & Talk is a production of the Association for Middle Level Education. Learn more at amle.org.