The Reproductive System

The reproductive system is the body system that makes it possible for humans to have babies. Boys and girls have different reproductive systems. These systems grow and change as kids get older.

What the Reproductive System Does

Every living thing can reproduce, which means to make new life. In humans, the reproductive system helps parents create a baby. This system starts changing during a time called puberty.

Before puberty, the reproductive system is mostly quiet. As kids grow into teenagers, their bodies start to develop in new ways.

Growing and Changing

Boys and girls grow at different rates. Some kids start changing earlier and some later. That is completely normal. Everyone's body has its own timeline.

If you have questions about how your body is changing, talk to a trusted adult like a parent or doctor. It is totally normal to be curious about growing up.

Fun Facts

• All humans start out as a single tiny cell that is too small to see without a microscope.
• A baby grows inside its mother for about nine months before it is born.
• Identical twins come from one cell that splits into two.

Did You Know?

A baby's heart starts beating just three weeks after it begins to grow, which is before most mothers even know they are pregnant!