Currently, I only offer classes and workshops for girls and gender diverse youth in 5th grade. This will soon expand to classes for youth in grades 4th through 8th. Each session of classes is designed to address the specific physical, emotional, and social issues facing students at that age. Join my email list or follow us on social media to be the first to hear!

I will soon be offering workshops and villages for parents to explore how to support your youth through puberty, raise a youth in the digital age, create and respect boundaries with your youth, raise a gender diverse child, and more. My offerings evolve and change all of the time, and my goal is to support parents with topics that they are struggling with. All upcoming programs can be found here.

Yes! Body Basics with Bella is available to all youth regardless of their family composition or life situation. I will work with parents/guardians privately to make any adjustments needed in order to help a child feel comfortable, safe, and supported.

All classes take place in Phoenix, OR. The space is a comfortable, playful, and private space designed to feel like a mixture of a classroom and a whimsical learning space. The exact location will be disclosed to parents upon enrollment.

Hover over “Programs” in the menu at the top of this page and select the appropriate grade level for your youth. Just below the featured flyer, there is a large button that says, “ENROLL YOUR YOUTH TODAY.” Click this button to register right away!

Absolutely! Being prepared is what is most important. By enrolling them now, you both will have the resources you need to be ready when the time comes.

Beyond Body Basics (for ages 13 and up) is the only program that addresses sex directly. In the programs for youth under 13, my job is to help your child feel comfortable with their changing body. We don’t talk about sex in other classes, but we do get REALLY CLOSE! If I receive questions about sex, birth control, STD’s, masturbation, abortion, etc. during the sessions with the younger students, I respond with, “Your family is ready to answer your questions about that.” I will also contact you and let you know the nature of their curiosity.

Absolutely. Body Basics & Beyond is an open space for all youth of any gender, where they can learn more about their bodies while feeling safe to explore who they are. Learn more about gender inclusivity at Body Basics with Bella here.

No, not at this time.

First, know that these feelings are actually quite common and perfectly natural. Of course it can be embarrassing to talk about bodies and feelings, but it is also important. Invite them to come to the first class and see how it goes. If they truly don’t like it, they don’t have to continue. And know that in all the years of offering Body Basics and Beyond programs, every student who has felt unsure has returned for the remainder of the sessions after experiencing the first class. If, after checking in with each other around what the challenges are for your child with the program, it still appears that the classes are not a good fit for them, you can receive a portion of the tuition as a refund.

Even though the classes are just for the youth, you are clearly a part of this experience as well. Here is what you can do:

1. Make yourself available for your youth as much as possible. When your child comes home from a class, be attentive to how they seem. They may be quiet and pensive as they consider what we did together that day, or wanting to talk with you, or just needs a chance to get some energy out! Follow their lead!

2. Let them come to you and don’t push for information. Gentle reminders about doing Time Together are fine if necessary. “Hey, I see you have class tomorrow, when would be a good time for us to do our Time Together?”

3. Push through any feelings of embarrassment you may have and answer their questions in a straightforward manner. Follow their lead when it comes to how much information you cover at any given time. If you can’t remember or don’t know something, be honest and offer to find out. By taking these classes, I invite your child to open up around many aspects of their present or future experiences with puberty, so be open to any other conversations that may come up.

This is such a great question. Thank you for having such great conversations with your child - it is so important. Studies have shown that youth at this age can hear and understand things differently every six months, and as a result, ongoing conversations around puberty are recommended. Body Basics with Bella provides an opportunity for these conversations to be ongoing with someone other than the parent - instead, an educator and other youth experiencing similar changes and emotions.

As an adolescent and puberty educator, I work to have the most up-to-date information on pubescent development. While you may be able to share a great deal of information on the topic, my life’s work is to make sure I know everything currently available to know on puberty and adolescence. I also have a natural ability to bring a potentially awkward and embarrassing topic out in the open through humor, games, and activities, making the information completely accessible. When your child takes a class with me, you can be sure her information is as complete and accurate as possible.

Additionally, no matter how strong a relationship you have with your child, having a sense of community of peers and connecting with other kids their age is hugely valuable. To be able to talk to and hear about other kids’ experiences normalizes puberty and helps youth know that they are not alone.