Discussion Guide:
- Why do you think Scar wanted to rule the Pride Lands so badly?
Caregiver Note: Jealousy is a normal emotion that many of our children have experienced. Whether it is jealousy over physical items that their friends have that they do not or even jealous that their friends have a permanent family when our kids are in foster care, it can cause many of our children to lash out in unexpected ways. - How do you think Simba should have dealt with the sadness he had when his dad died?
Caregiver Note: This question is a great way to assess what coping skills your kiddos already possess. If they aren’t able to provide a valid response, this is a really easy way to connect and figure out how they may potentially react in a similar situation when dealing with loss again. Although your child may not have ever experienced a loved one dying, being adopted or placed into foster care carries its own form of grief. Many children are at risk of developing unhealthy coping skills because no one else ever took the time to teach them healthy coping skills. This is the perfect opportunity to reinforce to kids that it’s okay to be sad and miss their loved ones. - The motto ‘Hakuna Matata’ means no worries, what would life look like for you if you didn’t have any worries?
Caregiver Note: Many of our kids experience some form of anxiety on a regular basis. It may be due to going to school, driving down a certain road, or hearing a certain song. There are many triggers that our kids have that we are unaware of until it triggers an anxiety attack. Comparing how your child’s life with no worries looks like to their current life can help give you some insight as to what worries them and how to create coping skills to manage their fears safely. - Why do you think Simba did not tell Timon and Pumba about his past?
Caregiver Note: A lot of our kids are very guarded about their past. Talking about it can become very triggering and many of them want to forget the abuse they have suffered. However, by not talking about the past it also prevents any positive memories from being shared. Learning about Simba’s past was a shock to Timon and Pumba, but they continued to be there for their friend and did not let that affect their relationship. This is a great opportunity to remind your child that no matter where they came from, you accept all of them- the good and the bad. - Why do you think Nala disobeyed her mother to leave the Pride Lands to find help?
Caregiver Note: A lot of times our children have a trusted adult they can tell things to, whether a teacher, a friend’s parent, or someone at church. They often don’t because they are afraid of what will happen to their family. They may have been told that it would be their fault if the family became separated. It took a lot of courage for Nala to leave her home and go into a world she never knew for help. Use this opportunity to help her child learn that sometimes making the right decision is hard and requires bravery, but is worth it in the end. - What do you think about Timon and Pumba staying with Simba in the Pride Lands?
Caregiver Note: Many of our children who have resided in foster care can see the parallel between foster parents and Timon and Pumba. In some situations, children are reunified with their biological parents and never have any connection with their foster parents post reunification. Seeing Timon and Pumba follow Simba to his homeland can open doors for a conversation on how children would like to stay connected with the people that have cared for them. If your child is adopted, use this as a conversation starter to assess what their interest is in maintaining a relationship with this biological family (if it is appropriate and safe). They may have no desire at this time but as they get older they may want to find them for various reasons. Having these conversations early will help your child feel comfortable in confiding their desires and feelings about their biological family to you. - How do you think the Pride Lands are different now that Simba is king instead of Scar?
Caregiver Note: This is a great way to help your kids use their imagination. Many of our children have a hard time imagining a better world because of the negative events that they have experienced. By having a new king (parent) that is kind and compassionate (Simba) instead of cruel and selfish (Scar), can make a big difference in how the society (home life) functions. Use this as an opportunity to learn what your children believes makes a difference between a good king and a bad king. - Activity: Turn yourself into a lion!
Items you will need for this craft include a paper plate, scissors, a popsickle stick, a hot glue gun, and various construction paper colors of orange, yellow, and brown. Cut a hole into the middle of the paper plate, large enough to have an opening the size of your child’s face. Cut strips of construction paper and glue to the outside of the plate, going outwards to create the mane. Hot glue the popsickle stick to the bottom as a handle. Enjoy the memories and practice your best lion faces and roars for the camera. - Activity: Make a Motto!
Timon and Pumba’s signature line is ‘Hakuna Matata’, which means no worries. Take this opportunity to engage with your child and create your own family motto. This motto should focus on what values your family holds. Dependability, compassion, honesty, and determination are all great starting points when trying to create a family motto. It can be silly or serious, as long as it fits with your family values. - What was your favorite part of the movie?
Caregiver Note: Although this question may seem to hold no value in engaging in a conversation, the parts of the movie that resonate with children the most are the parts where they can actively see themselves in the film. Maybe they identified with a certain character, or one of the characters reminded them of someone they loved. Exploring this can be fun and allows for everyone to talk about all the positive emotions the movie provided to them.
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About the Author: Pattie Moore
Pattie lives in Tampa, FL, and she spends most of her time working with adoptive and foster families through case management, psychiatry services, and therapy services. Pattie received her bachelor’s in psychology from Saint Leo University and her master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University. Pattie has been certified as an adoption competent provider through Rutgers University. Pattie has also participated in the Infant Mental Health certification program through University of South Florida, and is currently working on her CPP (child parent psychotherapy) certification. Pattie is also a current Guardian Ad Litem for Hillsborough County that specializes in working with teen girls in human trafficking. When Pattie isn’t working, you can find her at Universal and Disney with her husband and friends.
**Transfiguring Adoption is a nonprofit organization seeking to nurture growth in foster and adoptive families by giving a HOOT about their families. Transfiguring Adoption does not intend for its reviewers nor its review 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.
