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Stages of Body Literacy

At Pearl & Thistle, we provide education for Catholics about menstrual cycles, periods, and fertility at all ages and stages.

We believe that body literacy takes time, so we've curated everything according to developmental stage.

Our lifelong body literacy education model:

  • Begins with accurate (age appropriate!) cycle education even before girls get their first period...

  • Extends to charting for health...

  • Invites young women to learn and reflect more maturely as they grow...

  • Adds in fertility for NFP...

  • And continues in the form of robust parish support to meet all the changing needs of couples through their fertile years.

Explore our self-paced video courses and related digital download resources below, using our color coded "road map" as your guide.

Girls Ages ~8-11

  • Free

Made in His Image: Pint-Sized Theology of the Body for Catholic Families

  • Course
  • 2 Lessons

Explore what our Catholic faith teaches us about why bodies are important, specifically through Pope St. John Paul II's idea of the "language of the body." FREE video series for the family, for boys and girls aged 6-9.
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  • $7

The Catholic Mom's Guide to First Period Prep

  • Download
  • 1 file

PDF download. 24 pages, covering: -Puberty Timeline, with key developmental signs to look for -Tips for decreasing anxiety for your daughter (and yourself!) about periods -Ideas for thinking about cycle education in STAGES -And pep talks for YOU, because your voice is truly so important and no one knows your kids better than you. ❤️ It's the perfect little companion to just take the "edge" off of period prep!
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  • $60 or 3 monthly payments of $21

Cycle Prep: First Period Course for Girls

  • Course
  • 13 Lessons

BEST for AGES 9-11 Be prepared for the start of her first period, together! With CYCLE PREP, helping her feel more confidence and less anxious is as easy as pressing "play." Through this shared experience, parents + daughters can build a strong foundation of understanding, positivity, and communication for all the changes ahead!
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  • $135 or 3 monthly payments of $46

Mother-Daughter Prep Package

  • Bundle
  • 2 Products

Puberty and Perimenopause are like mirror transitions: why not embark on cycle education for you both?! Gain confidence together with this special mother-daughter package! Includes CYCLE PREP and PERIMENOPAUSE PREP
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  • $129 or 3 monthly payments of $44

Family Education Package

  • Bundle
  • 5 Products

Guide your children through various age-appropriate stages of body literacy education. This bundle includes: Made in His Image: Pint-Sized TOB for Catholic Families, The Catholic Mom's Guide to First Period Prep, What Parents Should Know About (Pre)Teen Periods, CYCLE PREP: First Period Course for Girls, and Anatomy, Fertility, & Reproduction for Catholic Teens!
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(Pre) Teens Ages ~12-18

In addition to these digital resources, check out the "CYCLE CHARTING FOR GIRLS" handbook.

  • $47 or 3 monthly payments of $17

What Parents Should Know About (Pre)Teen Periods

  • Course
  • 12 Lessons

For parents (or educators, or anyone working with youth!) who is looking to learn about menstrual cycles and periods during the (pre)teen years, and how to support our girls through this time of change. Course covers biology of cycles, practical care tips, plus guidance from the Church to help families navigate this time with greater confidence and positivity, together!
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  • $37

Anatomy, Reproduction, & Fertility for Catholic Teens: HOME USE

  • Course
  • 12 Lessons

BEST for AGES 15+ (Girls & Boys!) Easily-digestible video segments allow you and your teenage son or daughter to explore the science of anatomy and reproduction in conversation with theological concepts about the dignity and "Language" of the body.
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  • $3

Just the Charts! *Download files*

  • Download
  • 5 files

Are you looking to get your teen started with charting her cycles? This printable set comes with three PDF variations, designed especially for teens: - wheel chart with fluid - graph chart with fluid - graph chart with fluid + temps *Note: these charts are found in "Cycle Charting for Girls" book Also included are two JSON files which can be used in the Read Your Body app (app access not included)
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  • $129 or 3 monthly payments of $44

Family Education Package

  • Bundle
  • 5 Products

Guide your children through various age-appropriate stages of body literacy education. This bundle includes: Made in His Image: Pint-Sized TOB for Catholic Families, The Catholic Mom's Guide to First Period Prep, What Parents Should Know About (Pre)Teen Periods, CYCLE PREP: First Period Course for Girls, and Anatomy, Fertility, & Reproduction for Catholic Teens!
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Single Women, ages 18+

The following digital resource is a companion to our "CYCLE CHARTING FOR SINGLE WOMEN" handbook

  • Free

Small Group Leader Kit: Cycle Charting for Single Women

  • Download
  • 14 files

Companion resource to Christina Valenzuela's "Cycle Charting for Single Women" handbook. Gather a small group to learn about charting cycles for health and wholeness, while diving into prayer, discussion, and reflection on the meaning of our bodies and our identities as daughters of God.
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Couples

  • $12

Intro to Fertility Awareness and NFP

  • Course
  • 5 Lessons

Great for pre-Cana, or any couple new to the idea of NFP! This quick video course gives an overview of Church Teaching pertaining to family planning, a synopsis of different biomarkers couples can use to track ovulation for family planning, explanation of method types and descriptions, plus practical discussions on the challenges and benefits of NFP. Includes certificate of completion.
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  • Free email delivery

Quick Guide: Fertility Charting While Breastfeeding Postpartum

  • Download
  • 1 file

Are you wondering how you can possibly chart your fertility signs while breastfeeding? This quick little guide will walk you through: - why charting postpartum can be tricky - your options for biomarkers (and which ones are the most useful!) - when to schedule postpartum instruction Plus a quick look at what BCC has to offer.
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  • $7

Quick Guide: Basic Cycle Changes During Perimenopause

  • Download
  • 1 file

Ladies: this little guide is designed to affirm that you are NOT crazy and you are NOT alone during perimenopause! Certified NFP instructor Christina Valenzuela briefly explains WHAT perimenopause is, and what changes you might see with: - cycle lengths - cervical fluid - BBT - LH tests You'll get a quick set of suggestions for connecting with an instructor, PLUS a list of method options and website links!
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  • $97 or 3 monthly payments of $33

Perimenopause Prep: Navigating NFP with Shifting Fertility

  • Course
  • 20 Lessons

WOMEN aged 35+ This online course is designed specifically for Catholic women, seeking some guidance through the perimenopause transition with NFP. Join certified NFP instructor, Christina Valenzuela, as you learn all about the different stages of the perimenopause transition, how NFP protocols may (or may not!) change, and reflect on the beauty & challenges of this transition through the lens of faith.
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  • $135 or 3 monthly payments of $46

Mother-Daughter Prep Package

  • Bundle
  • 2 Products

Puberty and Perimenopause are like mirror transitions: why not embark on cycle education for you both?! Gain confidence together with this special mother-daughter package! Includes CYCLE PREP and PERIMENOPAUSE PREP
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Ready to support others in their body literacy journey?

Make a plan and dive in!

  • Free

A New Vision for Diocesan NFP Ministry

  • Course
  • 1 Lesson

Are you a diocesan leader who feels burnt out with trying to juggle ALL the NFP ministries? This video proposes one way to think about "restructuring" your duties, to free up your time AND empower individuals at the local level.
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  • $17

Building NFP Ministries & Support: A Practical Guide for Catholic parishes

  • Download
  • 1 file

For parish leaders, retreats, marriage ministries, and more! PDF Book with over 30 pages of explanation, resources, helpful tips, and planning exercises to boost (or kickstart!) NFP support in your parish.
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  • $167 or 3 monthly payments of $57

NFP Ambassador Training BUNDLE

  • Course
  • 43 Lessons
  • Includes 3 additional products

For COUPLES or INDIVIDUALS A certification course to give you all the background information to discern and plan your role as an NFP Ambassador in your parish. Includes "Building NFP Ministries & Support" guide and "NFP Presentation Kit" NFP Ambassadors are equipped to SHARE, SUPPORT, and SPREAD THE WORD about NFP in a way that authentically uses their own gifts to serve the unique needs of their community.
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Includes 3 Additional Products

  • $67

NFP Presentation Kit

  • Download
  • 8 files

Everything you need to teach an intro to NFP session! Beautiful PDF slide deck & speaker notes have been prepared for you to deliver your own presentation, either using this script directly or using your own. Handouts for additional resources and learning are included, as well as the option to play pre-recorded videos.
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  • Free

Small Group Leader Kit: Cycle Charting for Single Women

  • Download
  • 14 files

Companion resource to Christina Valenzuela's "Cycle Charting for Single Women" handbook. Gather a small group to learn about charting cycles for health and wholeness, while diving into prayer, discussion, and reflection on the meaning of our bodies and our identities as daughters of God.
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Note: THIS PAGE IS FOR INDIVIDUAL DIGITAL COURSES

Pearl & Thistle also offers many group licensing and bulk purchase options for our programs, in addition to live workshops, speaking engagements, and consultation/planning services for body literacy and NFP support. Please visit our main website and peruse our "AUDIENCE" tabs for more info, and check out our additional individual resources:

BooksNFP Coaching Services

Recursos en Español

PARA FAMILIAS

Cycle Prep: Primer Periodo

Con subtítulos y PDF recursos en español. Un programa que otorga ciencia exacta, información de ayuda y que respeta el rol de los padres como los principales maestros.
Aprende más

LIBRO y VIDEOS

Leyendo tu Ciclo para Chicas

Esta hermosa Guía presenta a las chicas dos niveles para graficar ciclos: una Guía Básica para usar durante los primeros años y una Guía Avanzada para cuando los ciclos se vuelven más regulares.
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Christina Valenzuela

Christina has been a certified instructor in the Boston Cross Check™ method of Natural Family Planning since 2013. She had over a decade of experience working in parishes and campus ministry settings prior to founding Pearl & Thistle in 2018. She is a life-professed member of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic. Christina and her husband have been married for almost thirteen years, and have four children. They reside outside of Boston. 
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