Puberty is the time when the sex organs mature and boys and girls become capable of reproducing their kind.  With genital development, the boy produces sperms and girl mature ovum.  For girls this usually occurs between 11-13 years; for boys 14-16.  In girls, this is signaled by the coming of the first menstrual flow, in boys the equivalent could be nocturnal emissions (seminal flow) also called “wet dreams”.

1. Physical growth occurs continuously from conception to full maturity.
2. Physical growth and development follows a general uniform pattern.  But there are some irregular fluctuations between males and females.
3. Growth of the individual is often unstable.
4. There are unique individual patterns of growth.  Example: teeth at birth, precocious maturity.