The use of illustrated storybooks as a learning medium to introduce puberty signs and reproductive health is deemed essential for teenagers today. Visual communication media in the form of illustrated storybooks provide information and knowledge to children about entering adolescence and various aspects of puberty in a correct and appropriate manner, presented in an interesting and practical way. This was stated by Dr. Lani Heriyani as the initiator during the recent socialization of the Learning Media of Illustrated Storybooks on Puberty and Adolescent Reproductive System at the Shelter House of Yayasan Rumah Impian Indonesia.
As the initiator, Dr. Lani stated that interactive printed media, such as books containing stories, are highly effective and creative in assisting the process of conveying information about puberty and the reproductive system to pre-adolescent children. According to her, the supporting aspect that is educative and interactive in the book, which contains stories about emotional, behavioral, and physical changes in children approaching adolescence, has a persuasive nature in terms of approach, narrative, and learning guidance in the form of advice and tips to face puberty. “It is crucial for teenagers to receive accurate information about reproductive health and the factors influencing it,” she emphasized.
Puberty is a crucial phase in which a child undergoes physical, mental, and sexual organ maturity. Therefore, according to Dr. Lani, readiness for puberty starts from the teenage years, marked by the first menstruation in adolescent girls aged 10 to 14 years or wet dreams in adolescent boys aged 12 to 13 years. Consequently, Dr. Lani hopes that this illustrated storybook can have a positive impact on teenagers, saying, “This interactive illustrated storybook teaches about puberty and becomes their guidebook in facing the phase of adulthood.”
For information, the research topic chosen for the Skripsi (Undergraduate Thesis) by Cornelia Maharani Verrent, a student of Art Education at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, is “Development of Learning Media of Illustrated Storybooks on Puberty and Reproductive System for Adolescents at Dream House Shelter.” The choice of interactive printed media in the form of books is due to the strong positive impact books have as an educational medium for delivering messages. Additionally, the researcher’s concern is about the scarcity of learning media about puberty and the reproductive system for adolescents available in the market today.