Honor your child’s transition into puberty with a First Moon Circle, a grounded, empowering rite of passage rooted in care, knowledge, and community.
An inclusive, sacred, and joyful gathering that supports children through puberty and their first periods with confidence, body literacy, self-care, and emotional safety, going far beyond basic school-based education.
Our Next circle is Gathering April 18 at Art of the Heart Studio.
About First Moon Circles
Your child will be welcomed into a gentle, joyful experience where they can learn how to care for themselves as they grow, physically, emotionally, and relationally. First Moon Circles offer supportive, age-appropriate education around puberty, self-care, and menstrual health in a way that feels safe, empowering, and affirming.
Through learning, creativity, and connection, children are guided to understand their changing bodies, build confidence, and develop a healthy relationship with their cycles, not through fear or shame, but through knowledge, care, and self-respect.
Each child receives:
A curated gift bag with cycle-supporting products
A beaded bracelet they create during the session as a keepsake
A thoughtfully designed 22-page booklet to support them through puberty and beyond
Caregivers often find they learn something too, even if they’ve lived with cycles for decades.
The experience concludes with a Wisdom Sharing Ceremony, where caregivers are invited to offer loving guidance, wishes, and support, creating a meaningful moment of connection and affirmation as children step into this new stage of growth.
What to Expect at a First Moon Circle
First Moon Circles are a gentle, joyful 3-hour gathering for kids to come together in community as they approach menarche (their first period).
This experience is designed to be fun, affirming, informative, and empowering, creating a positive, grounded introduction to the physical, emotional, and spiritual changes of puberty
During the Circle
Your child will:
Learn what’s happening in their bodies (what’s normal, what’s not, and when to ask for support)
Explore self-care, hygiene, and how to handle “surprise blood” with confidence
Get hands-on with natural and healthy menstrual products
(pads, liners, cups, tampons, period underwear)Ask questions in a safe, supportive, shame-free space
Create a beaded cycle bracelet as a keepsake and symbol of monthly rhythms
Build confidence, body literacy, and self-trust
Experience connection, friendship, and shared sisterhood
A Shared Rite of Passage
After the girls’ circle, mothers/ caregivers/ elders are invited to join for a short celebratory gathering and afternoon tea.
This creates space to:
- Honor this rite of passage
- Share what the girls learned
- Offer loving guidance and positive wishes
- Strengthen open, healthy communication at home
The Intention
Knowledge about their changing body
Comfort with self-care and menstrual options
Confidence and emotional safety
A sense of belonging and sisterhood
An open channel for honest conversations with family
A meaningful memory of being honored during this transition
Each child leaves with:
Give your child a positive, empowered start to puberty and menstruation
What’s Included?
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What puberty and periods are and what happens in their bodies as they grow.
What is healthy and normal, and when and how to ask for help.
How to choose and use different menstrual products.
What the menstrual cycle is versus a period, and how to navigate changing moods, energies, capacities, strengths and vulnerabilities in each cycle phase.
Menstrual cycle self-care.
Carer-child blessing to support your relationship and period positivity at home.
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A take-home gift bag featuring her own first period kit (a combination of sanitary samples, and beautiful self-care items to remind them of this special day)
A 22-page keepsake color illustrated guidebook written for children full of the wisdom and knowledge to remember what they've learned to come back to again and again.
Plus their own handmade beaded bracelet to remind them of the magic of their cycle and self-care.
Once you book your child to attend, I'll send you some information to prepare you, the parent/caregiver, ahead of the day, as well as to help you prepare your child for what to expect. I'll also share guidance with you on how to prepare your positive guidance that you want to share with your child on the day, which in turn will support you to keep this open conversation going at home.
Meet the Facilitator
Allie Bishop is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, trauma-informed art therapist, and founder of Art of the Heart Studio. She brings a gentle, grounded, and heart-centered approach to First Moon Circles, honoring menarche as both a developmental milestone and a sacred rite of passage.
Blending body literacy, emotional education, creative expression, and ritual-based practices, Allie creates safe, affirming spaces where girls feel supported, informed, and empowered in their changing bodies. Her work centers connection, confidence, and open communication — helping families build a healthy, shame-free foundation around menstruation and puberty.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This First Moon Circle is perfect for girls aged 9-12, whether she has started her period in the last 1-2 years, hasn't bled yet, or if any of her friends have. A First Moon Circle is the perfect opportunity to encourage children to feel informed, be confident, learn to be proud of their body and themselves, and have lots of tools for self-care and self-awareness as they move through puberty and beyond.
First Moon Circles are inclusive spaces suitable for children who will have a female puberty and menstrual cycles, even if they don't identify as she/her. We welcome children who are non-binary and are trans males if they wish to learn about how their body works, and to have tools to embrace their developing cyclic nature.
We welcome children who hold other marginalised identities related to race, sexuality and ability and can accommodate your child's needs to help them have a safer experience. If you have any questions about accessibility please contact me to discuss when booking before the circle.
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We begin with just the girls because they feel safest asking honest questions and sharing freely when caregivers are not in the room. This creates space for authentic learning and confidence-building on a topic that can feel sensitive or unfamiliar.
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No. First Moon Circles are secular and centered on accurate body literacy, emotional awareness, and celebration of growth. Families from any spiritual or religious background are welcome.
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Yes! Flexible payment options are offered so families can join more easily. Message me directly for more details.
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Not at all! This circle is valuable whether your child is preparing for their first moon or has recently begun menstruating. They’ll still gain deeper understanding, support, and community connection that most kids don’t get elsewhere. If you aren’t sure if this offering is right for your child, message me and we can chat further
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Possibly — readiness looks different for every child. If they’re curious, asking questions, and showing interest in learning about their body, they may be ready even if they’re a bit younger. If they’re older, they may benefit from a private circle with peers closer to their age. I’m happy to talk through what feels best for your child.
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Absolutely! This topic can feel big, especially because the world often treats it as taboo. Often the kids who feel most apprehensive end up feeling the most supported and confident by the end. I can share tools and gentle preparation tips to help your child come into the circle feeling safe and ready.
Did you know First Moon Circles are available for you to book as a private event just for your child and their friends?
This way, the group explores the topics together, ensuring they have a strengthened friendship and each other's ongoing support for when they need it. Suitable for children age 8-16 and for a minimum of five children per private event. If you're interested in booking a private First Moon Circle, please contact me below: