I have to disagree in part with Rosalinda...

Yes an explanation does need to be made, but a 9 year old does not really need to know that much detail about procreation to understand what she is going through with having a period at a young age..

The main thing that needs to be covered, is that her body is growing up, and ladies begin to get their periods. She needs to simply be told the very basics until she is a little older and can get her head around it in a more mature fashion.

Simply explain that ladies have these things called periods (or they menstruate....whichever is better for you), and that this is how the body cleans the inside of her womb. Explain then that her body is simply preparing itself for when she is older and that for now, all she needs to worry about is looking after the monthly bleeding.

Keep it short and sweet, but make sure that you let her know that as she has questions that you are fully prepared to answer them...

Too many details this young might just lead to promiscuity at a way too young age!!

There might well be a DVD but I don't think you'd need it. Its a bit too impersonal anyway.

I suppose if you're a fella you might find it a bit uncomfortable but I reckon you could do it if you prepare yourself w/ information.

First thing is to explain (in a basic way) about how babies come into being (a seed-ovum from Mum & a tiny tadpole from Dad). Then draw her a rough diagram of her reproductive tract (ovaries, fallopian tubes, womb) & explain how the little zygote has to grow in the womb until it becomes a baby. And that (just like growing plant seeds in pots; there's an idea for an extra activity) the fertilised-seed (zygote) will need special stuff to grow in. Then tell her how when she's only a little older her ovaries will start sending little seeds down her fallopian tubes to her womb 'just for practice'. And at the same time her womb will make up the growing-mix just for practice as well. Then tell her how after a few days her body will decide that's enough practice for now & all the special mix will drain out slowly so the next time it can start fresh. The tell her that just like most things inside her body; that special mix is red & looks like blood (& that most people just call it blood even tho its much more than that). So she shouldn't be frightened when she finds some blood in her knickers or on the toilet paper.. But it does stain clothes so its a good idea to use a little pad so it doesn't make a mess or get smelly (because just like well-manured soil for raising seeds, the special mix can get smelly when its exposed to air).

If you are a man you can go on to say how amazing you think it is that she will be able to grow babies inside her & how miraculous you find it. & that her place where her special baby-raising mix will come from is very special & sacred & she needs to guard it carefully & only share it with someone else when she is really grownup & ready to be a Mum herself.

If you are a woman you can share about your own first experiences of menstruation & what you do about it now when your body has its 'practice sessions'.

In either case I think its fun to celebrate when a girl first gets her period. Of itself it really isn't that much fun so make it something nice for her. It can be kept secret from the rest of the family what its all about... In some families the girl becomes a 'princess' & gets fussed over & given her favourite foods etc. In some families it might be a special party of women & other girls her own age. My daughter got special presents (jewellry) I'd hoarded for the occaision. My step-daughter got an extra birthday (called her 'butterfly day') on the anniversary every year with a little keepsake & a card (but kept secret from her freinds & her older brother at her request).

Bear in mind that a nine-year-old girl is probably a lot more grown up than you might think. There are some girls who do start menstruating at this age. Given the info they need; they do just fine.

If you feel like you don't have enough knowledge to do it justice; get in touch with 'family planning' & perhaps get an old year 11 biology book.

And if your lass is one who cares very much about the environment, trees, climate change & all that..... Start making enquiries now about how to get the re-usable methods of menstrual control; "Radpads" is the name of one variety; you could google it. In any case its good to have a variety of options available so that when the time comes she can try out different things & see what she likes best.

Good luck!

Explain it in simple terms without all the big words or an explanation of the big words and with all the correct info. This is what we did with our daughter we started at bras and breasts and graduated to periods and pads/tampons.

Don't let older girls talk to her about it as mis information can be given. There use to be book about it I think it was called My bodies changing......... or something.

Hope this helps...

Cheers Raven

Just to add, if you are the mum (anon makes it hard to guess ;)!), then perhaps a bit less privacy on your part will allow her to strumble upon your stash of sanitary wear and initiate questions. My DD1 has already asked why there was blood in the toilet before I hurridly flushed and I have done my best to give her an age appropriate answer - I had no choice as I didnt want her thinking I was ill!

 Im sure there are dvd's but it would probly be better coming from you (if you are a dad it mite be hard).

You could also go to a dr or family planning center and they should have leaflets on that kind of stuff as well. Explaining the whole puberty thing would probly help as well.

Some people also make up a little box or basket with different things in it (pads, tampons, a book on puberty, condoms etc.) That you can go thru with her or she can go thru at her own pace and then she wil have some on standby in case it starts unexpecticly. 

It may be a bit early yet but a sex talk can also be good, as you always hear about VERY young people having sex (im talking the 9-10-11 year olds) and it would be better to have them know how to protect agenst std's and pregnancey. It may be difficalt to do but it would be better then her getting pregnant young.

Hope this helps :) Good luck