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: 100

Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8)
Podcast Episodes
Can he be friends with people who don’t like him? (John, Age 8) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:20
Ep. 133 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Say no to one-way friendships | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? h

Friend won’t talk about problem (Monet, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:15
Ep. 132- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Finding the right words in a conflict | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Fr

They have lots of playdates, and he doesn’t (Matthew, Age 7) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:36
Ep. 131 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Giving versus getting as a friend | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Frien

Should she quit the team? (Summer, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:29
Ep. 130 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Ways to contribute to a team | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? ht

Kindest way to break up with a friend (Audrey, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:06
Ep. 129 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Big friendship break-up, slow fade, or something else? | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Yo

When you cry easily (Beth, Age 6) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:38
Ep. 128 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: 5 Things to Do When You Feel Like Crying But Don't Want To | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: I

Friend wants space (Sloane, Age 6) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:56
Ep. 127 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Closeness vs. separateness in friendship | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Goo

The Right Gift for a Friend (Saanvi, Age 12) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:12
Re-release Ep. 37 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: The Joy of Giving | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? htt

How to Have a Conversation - for Kids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:27
Ep. 126 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Talking and Listening with Friends | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Frie

Not picked to play on team (Charlie, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:56
Ep. 125 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Watch then blend | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileen