In Australia, the average age of the first period is about 13. But about 12% of children get their period between the ages of eight and 11. But even though a significant proportion of students are getting their first period as early as Year 3 or even Year 2, primary school students are not officially taught about puberty until Years 5 and 6.
Research out of Flinders University explores current period education and what support is available for early menstruators. It shows how schools can act as gatekeepers of knowledge about this essential and very normal part of human development.
Find out more here.