How to Have a Conversation - for Kids

How to Have a Conversation - for Kids

Author: Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health. April 4, 2026 Duration: 6:27

REPLAY of Ep. 126 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Talking and Listening with Friends | Friendship advice for kids

No one is born knowing how to have a good conversation! In this episode, I share five practical tips to help kids chat more comfortably with others.

🎁 My gift to you — 3 free mini-guides for parents: https://eileenkennedymoore.com/free-mini-guides/

Online workshops for kids: workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.

đŸŽ™ïž Would YOUR KID like to be on the podcast? Submit a question at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Not psychotherapy or for emergencies.)

Easy-to-read transcript: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

Like the podcast? Check out my books: https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

Never miss an episode! https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Why do you think kids sometimes feel nervous about talking with other people? (Hint: What might they be afraid of?)

- Who do you enjoy chatting with? Why? (Hint: What do they do that makes your conversation enjoyable?)

- How could you answer the question “How are you?” using the “Great!”-plus-one-fact formula? (Reminder: The “one fact” should create a picture in the listener's mind.) Why might this be a useful formula for conversations?

- Dr. Friendtastic says, “focus on being interested more than interesting.” What does that mean? Why might it be a helpful approach to conversations?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 72 - Making friends in a new school (Nora, Age 8)  https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep72-nora-age-8-making-friends-new-schl 

Ep. 70 - Knowing when and how to stop (Owen, Age 8)  https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep70-owen-age-8-stop-signals 

Ep. 92 - What to say when a friend is feeling down (Mason, Age 13)  https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep92-mason-age-13-what-to-say-when-a-friend-feels-down



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

In Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8), real children from kindergarten through eighth grade send in their questions about the tricky, wonderful, and sometimes confusing world of friendships. Each week, Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore-a clinical psychologist and author known as Dr. Friendtastic-responds with a thoughtful, practical answer designed just for young listeners. The conversations in this podcast get straight to the heart of what kids experience: navigating arguments, feeling left out, trying to make a new friend, or figuring out how to be a good one themselves. Eileen Kennedy-Moore draws on her deep expertise in children's feelings and social development to offer actionable advice that respects a child's perspective. The format is brief and engaging, with each episode lasting about five minutes, making it an easy listen for a car ride or quiet moment. This isn't about lectures; it's about giving kids the tools and confidence to handle social situations with kindness and resilience. Parents and educators often find the discussions helpful, too, as the podcast naturally opens doors for deeper conversations about emotions and relationships. By focusing on real questions from real kids, the podcast creates a genuine connection, assuring young listeners that their friendship worries are normal and solvable. Tune in weekly to hear compassionate guidance that turns everyday social puzzles into opportunities for growth and connection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8)
Podcast Episodes
He doesn’t want to be friends with someone (Julian, Age 8) | 161 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:32
Ep. 161 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Is there a kind way to reject someone? | Friendship advice for kidsFREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friendshttps://drfriendtastic.com/gift/Parents, check out my

How to say no to a friend without feeling bad (Blaire, Age 12) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:38
Re-release of Ep. 55 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Saying no can save a friendship | Friendship advice for kidsFREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friendshttps://drfriendtastic.com/gift/Parents, check

Friends punish her?! (River, Age 9)| 160 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:15
Ep. 160- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Recognizing stop signs | Friendship advice for kidsFREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friendshttps://drfriendtastic.com/gift/Parents, check out my online workshops

Losing her best friend! (Ellie, Age 10) | 159 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:22
Ep. 159- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What to do when a friendship is fading | Friendship advice for kidsFREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friendshttps://drfriendtastic.com/gift/Parents, check out my

A false story about him! (Erik, Age 7) | 158 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:14
Ep. 158- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Truth, falsehood, and different perspectives | Friendship advice for kidsFREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friendshttps://drfriendtastic.com/gift/Parents, check o

Friend’s new friend doesn’t like him (Ian, Age 11) | 156 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:44
Ep. 156- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Having another friend isn't a betrayal | Friendship advice for kidsFREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friendshttps://drfriendtastic.com/gift/Parents, check out my

Friend is jealous and possessive (Miranda, Age 8) | 155 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:26
Ep. 155 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Finding a balance between caring and freedom | Friendship advice for kidsFREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friendshttps://drfriendtastic.com/gift/Parents, check

Not invited to the sleepover! (Jim, Age 12) | Ep. 153 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:26
Ep. 153 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Don't give up a good friendship because it's not perfect | Friendship advice for kidsFREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friendshttps://drfriendtastic.com/gift/Par