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Leap! (2017) – Discussion Guide

Discussion Guide:

  1. Why did Félicie lie? Was she trying to be mean or hurt anyone?
    Caregiver Note: As I mentioned earlier, children often don’t mean to be malicious when they lie or steal. Children in foster care have often lived a life very different from our own and have had to learn unique ways to meet their own needs. For some children, this could be lying to their class and telling them their dad is a famous actor so they can be accepted. Some children may steal a toy because, in the past, they would not get a toy otherwise. The point with this is to teach a child that they no longer need to lie or steal to get what they need and teach them ways to express needs that will keep them out of trouble. This question will help open the door to discuss this, as this can be a hard topic to discuss if children know that lying and stealing are “big deals” to a caregiver.
  2. Even though Félicie did not mean harm in her lies, what were her consequences?
    Caregiver Note: It is important to teach our children that even if they don’t mean harm in their actions that there are still natural consequences to dishonesty. Point out how Félicie had to restart her audition process, lose trust, and risk closes relationship because of her choices.
  3. How could Félicie have gotten help without lying or stealing?
    Caregiver Note: This will help your child focus on ways moving forward to ask for help in the future as well. Remember as the caregiver that this is harder for a child to do than to say. When helping your child later with making better choices involving lying or stealing it is important for a caregiver to be mindful of situations or questions that may invite these behaviors. Remember to reward your child for asking for help or using an alternative to lying or stealing to encourage the use of those methods.
  4.  Was it a good idea for Félicie to run away? What could have happened to her and Victor had the plan not gone as originally planned?
    Caregiver Note: In this it is important to highlight safety. Between climbing on the roof, jumping across various vehicles, and other unsafe behaviors Félicie and Victor could have been seriously injured in their escape. They also could have been kidnapped or taken by someone unsafe while wandering around Paris. Again, make sure to highlight safety when talking to your child before turning the discussion to how one of their caregivers could have helped them with their dreams rather than running away from them.
  5. Victor dreams of becoming a famous inventor and Félicie a prima ballerina. What is your big dream that is so big that you are willing to work as hard as Félicie even if it’s hard and frustrating? How can I help you reach your dream like Odette helps Félicie?
    Caregiver Note: This could also be considered an activity, but I advise taking notes during this part of a discussion. Work with your child to come up with goals and action steps for each of these goals. Then, make the plan look nice with colors and maybe a pretty typing font so they can display their plan to pursue their dreams. Children at times need something visual to help plan for the future due to development milestones not being met depending on their age. This will also help the plan feel more real for your child as they can check off action steps as they are completed.
  6. When Félicie is discovered and caught in her lies, what would have been appropriate consequences for lying and stealing Camille’s identity? Why did the adults give Félicie a chance to audition as herself?
    Caregiver Note: Again, for this discussion it is important for a caregiver to remember the reasons children may engage in survival behaviors to help your child through this discussion. Most of the time children do not connect their feelings to their behaviors and may need help with this. It can be noted that Félicie could have lost her chance of ever becoming a ballerina but that the caring adults in her life saw her hard work and intentions were not mean and were willing to give her a chance to prove herself as deserving of the part of Clara.
  7. Are there times where it is hard for you to ask for help for something you need? How can I help you when asking is hard?
    Caregiver Note: Some children are not used to using their words to ask for help or attention, so this may take some time and practice to ask to borrow your coat or a book. It may be good to come up with a code word or phrase your child can use when they are struggling to make a good choice or ask for help. This can be a code word or phrase that lets you know they need time to think or to work together with you to find a solution.
  8. Félicie makes a choice to forgo training in favor of a date with Rudy and because of this misses her audition. She listens to Rudy instead of Odette, saying “You’re not my mom!” Even though Odette is not Félicie’s mother, who was looking out for Félicie’s best interest?
    Caregiver Note: Children hear a lot of input from a lot of different people, peers and adults alike. It’s natural for children to want to be liked by their peers and sometimes they may agree to bad choices due to the peer influence, or even the influence of an adult that does not have the child’s best interest at heart. Use this discussion as a way to convey that though you may not be a biological parent that you are like Odette in that you care very much for your child and will always speak up to protect your child and love your child even if it’s not what your child wants to hear in the moment.
  9. Though Félicie apologizes to both Odette and Victor pretty quickly after her mistakes it takes Victor longer to accept Félicie’s apology. Has there been a time where it was hard for you to forgive someone else’s mistake quickly?
    Caregiver Note: One consequence to lying or stealing is losing trust from others. It’s important for children to know that they are loved by you unconditionally but that by lying or stealing they are taking away trust they have built with those they care about. Talk through what rebuilding trust may look like and how actions may need to accompany words when apologizing to someone for violating that trust.
  10. Activity: Practice Barre Ballet Stretches
    Caregiver Note: Find a short Barre instruction video on Youtube and practice the exercises like Félicie. Talk to your child about doing Barre for fun but also being able to practice Barre when they feel overwhelmed or angry as sometimes exercise can help us get angry energy out in a positive way before talking it out. Practice these together often and your child will learn a coping skill and the caregiver will get one heck of a work out!

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NOTE: Inclusion on these lists does not necessarily mean endorsement. Furthermore, with all our resources, we highly recommend you preview them first to determine if there are any trauma triggers that your child may not be ready to handle. Transfiguring Adoption does not intend for its reviewers nor its reviews to be professional, medical or legal advice. These reviews and discussion guides are intended to help parents to better be able to connect and understand their children who come from traumatic backgrounds.

Written by
Rachael B. Rathe is an East Tennessee native with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Child & Family Studies from The University of Tennessee Knoxville. She has worked in mental health since 2013 and in foster care/adoptions for a private provider agency since 2014. Rachael was inspired to work in the field after working with children and teens on a volunteer basis 2008 - 2013. Rachael's ideal self-care day involves snuggling on a couch with her kitties (Tabitha, Fergus, and Rufus) while enjoying a good movie or book. She also enjoys galivanting around conventions concerning all things nerd and geekery.

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