Kōwhai & Bloom

Illustration of a flowering plant with three yellow hanging bell-shaped flowers and green leaves against a dark background.

Navigating puberty with confidence, kindness, and real-life tools

What is Kōwhai & Bloom?

Kōwhai and Bloom is a gentle puberty education and wellbeing platform for tweens aged 9 to 14, with supportive guidance for parents and carers, and content suitable for children slightly younger or older depending on where they are at.

It offers clear, age appropriate explanations of body changes, hormones, periods, emotions, skin, and self care, grounded in reassurance and understanding.

Who’s it for?

• Tweens and early teens who are starting to notice changes in their body and want gentle, age appropriate explanations

• Parents and carers who want clear language, reassurance, and down to earth support to guide these conversations

• Schools and community groups looking for a calm, evidence based puberty and wellbeing resource

A gentle, step by step guide that covers:

  • Introduction: Welcome to your body’s new chapter

  • Your changing body

  • Your cycle: your body’s playlist

  • Meet your hormone squad

  • All about periods

  • Kai that loves you back

  • Big feelings, busy brain

  • Self care that actually works

  • Move, rest, recharge

  • A final word to help you bloom into you

  • A simple A to Z glossary to explain common puberty words in clear, age appropriate language

  • Carer’s Corner: A supportive guide for parents and carers to help them walk alongside with confidence

What’s Inside

Four young women standing in a green field, facing away, making heart shapes with their hands against a blue sky with clouds.

How it works

Kōwhai and Bloom is designed to be explored gently, at a pace that feels right for each young person.

• Short, easy to understand explanations that can be revisited anytime
• Clear language that makes body changes feel less confusing
• Simple ideas and habits that support everyday wellbeing
• Space for reflection, curiosity, and ongoing conversations

What your young person will feel more confident about

• Identifying body changes without awkwardness

• Understanding what hormones do

• Period care and cycle basics

• Food, movement, sleep, and simple stress tools

• Skin, mood, and energy

• Where to get help if something feels off

 FAQs

  • Kōwhai and Bloom is designed for tweens and early teens, generally aged 9 to 13, who are starting to notice changes in their body or are curious about what puberty might bring. It is especially helpful for young people who appreciate calm explanations and reassurance.

  • Perfect timing. Exploring this information early helps build confidence and understanding. Parents and carers can revisit the content alongside their young person as changes unfold and periods begin.

  • Short answer, yes.
    Kōwhai and Bloom includes clear, science based explanations of anatomy and hormones from a female reproductive health perspective, helping young people understand the changes that happen during puberty.

    It also explores everyday health and wellbeing, including food, sleep, movement, stress, and self care, with guidance that is supportive, practical, and relevant for all young people.

  • Kōwhai and Bloom offers general education and practical wellbeing guidance. It is designed to support understanding, not replace individual medical care.

    If your child is unwell or experiencing ongoing pain, please seek advice from your GP or a qualified health professional.

  • Parents and carers are encouraged to explore Kōwhai and Bloom alongside their young person in whatever way feels right for their family. Some children prefer to look through it independently, while others like to read, watch, or talk things through together. Both approaches are supported.

What’s happening now

Kōwhai & Bloom is currently available as a printed book, created to support carers and young people through the early stages.

What’s next

A guided online course is currently in development and will be released later this year to offer deeper support for families.