How to make a new friend (Aida, Age 9)

How to make a new friend (Aida, Age 9)

Author: Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health. February 14, 2026 Duration: 6:07

Ep. 135 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Starting a friendship | Friendship advice for kids

Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.

FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f

Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?

SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)

For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

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

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Think of a friend you know. How did your friendship begin?

- If you want to make a new friend, why is it important to choose to reach out to someone who is a good candidate for friendship? What makes someone seem like a good friendship possibility?

- What are some ways that you have shown friends (or potential friends) that you like them?

- Why is it not a good idea to try to buy someone’s friendship by giving them money or your favorite things?

- Why is it important to notice how people respond to your friendly actions? What might it mean if they respond positively? What might it mean if they respond negatively?

*** 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. 73 - Best friend stops playing with him (J.J., Age 11)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep73-jj-age-11-best-friend-stops-playing-with-him

Ep. 67: Choosing good friends (Paul, Age 12)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/paul-age-12-choosing-friends-who



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
How to Join Kids Playing (Amelia, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:14
Ep. 124 - 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…
How to Keep Friends (Eva, Age 6) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:49
Ep. 123 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Making friends and keeping friends require different skills | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz:…
Excluded because he’s a boy (Calvin, Age 8) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:55
Ep. 122 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship is about people, not categories | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a G…
Close friend and new friend leave her out! (Sara, Age 8) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:37
Ep. 121 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Don’t keep score in a friendship | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend…
Best friend playing with someone else (Metis, Age 6) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:59
Ep. 120 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being apart doesn’t have to end a friendship | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a…
Having friends of different ages (Oliver, Age 11) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:13
Ep. 119 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Having friends of different ages .| Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Frien…
Best friends are all taken?! (Sadie, Age 10) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:59
Ep. 118 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What to do when everyone else seems paired up | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child…
BONUS Episode: Jealousy and Openness - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:20
Hi there,Jealousy & Openness Part 2 is now available, wrapping up the theme I hosted this week in the Big Emotions series.This episode focuses on practical strategies that kids can use when jealousy shows up in their fri…
BONUS Episode: Jealousy and Openness - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:44
Hi there,I’m hosting this week’s theme in the Big Emotions: Kids Listen Mashups About Feelings series! Jealousy & Openness Part 1 is available now, and I'm honored to guide the conversation around some of the most comple…
BONUS Episode: Fear and Bravery - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:10
Hi there,Yesterday I shared the exciting launch of Big Emotions: Kids Listen Mashups About Feelings - and this morning brings both Part 2 of the first theme AND the start of the next one!Fear & Bravery Part 2 is now avai…