ABSTRACT
Adolescence came upon Emma whilst she was still in primary school. Over the last few decades the number of girls who reach puberty before secondary school age has increased considerably, though there are signs now that this increase in numbers is slowing down. Puberty was making both a physiological and a psychological impact on her. Emma was one of that surprisingly large group of children who have been ill prepared for the approach of puberty. The teaching of sexual matters in schools is a subject under constant review. Suffice it here to remind those who work in this field, especially those who are dealing with girls on the brink of puberty, that anxiety is a common response, not an abnormal one. Only teachers who have a genuine interest in, and sensitivity to, the feelings of the young can counteract such propaganda; and with help of such teachers most of the disturbing impact of the physiology of puberty can be mitigated.
