Discussion Questions:
- What kinds of touches do you like?
Hugs from loved ones, etc. - What kinds of touches do you not like?
Being pushed, kicked, etc. - Who gets to decide how a touch makes you feel?
Only you get to decide how a touch makes you feel
Give some examples – for example, some people like to be hugged and some do not. We have to respect how each person feels about a touch. Just because we like to hug or receive hugs does not mean the other person does - What does Claire’s coach do that gives her a “weird feeling” or makes her feel uncomfortable?
When the coach called her pretty
When the coach tickles her - How does Claire feel about the coach’s touch?
It makes Claire feel uncomfortable and she gets an “uh-oh” feeling (describe the “uh-oh” feeling or gut feeling we get when we don’t feel good about something that is happening to us - What might an uncomfortable or uh-oh feeling be like in your body?
Have children describe where and how they feel the uh-oh feeling in their bodies – be open to diverse responses from individuals - Why does Claire’s coach ask her to keep the touch a secret?
He might be worried about getting into trouble because he knows he is doing something wrong - What if Claire is scared or worried about telling someone, is it Claire’s fault if the touch problem does not go away?
No, even if Claire did not know how to speak up about what happened, it is not her fault. The coach is the one who is doing something wrong
It is never too late to get help from a trusted adult and Claire can always still ask for help even if she did not do so right away - What does Claire do about her uncomfortable feelings around the touch?
Tell her friends, tell her sister, tell her mom - Does Claire keep telling or does she give up?
Claire keeps telling and does not give up until she got the help she needed
Emphasize the importance of trusting your own feelings and continue telling until you receive help the help you need - What could have Claire’s friends done to help her?
Tell a trusted adult to help Claire - If someone asks you to keep a secret about a touch, what should you do?
Get help from a trusted adult right away - How does Claire’s mom respond to Claire’s request for help?
She is supportive and tells Claire she is glad that she told her - If the person you tell does not help you, what should you do?
Choose another adult to tell and keep doing so until you get the help you need - If you keep a secret about a touch, will the touching problem get bigger or smaller?
It would get bigger because you would not be getting help if it is a secret