Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8)

Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health.
  • 4.7 (89)
  • EDUCATION FOR KIDS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic is a weekly, 5-min. podcast for children about making and keeping friends. Each episode features an audio recording of a question about friendship from a kid (gr. K-8) plus a practical and thought-provoking answer from Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, (aka Dr. Friendtastic,) an author and clinical psychologist based in Princeton, NJ. For transcripts and discussion questions: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast. To submit a question: https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit. For parent resources: https://EileenKennedyMoore.com drfriendtastic.substack.com

  1. 1D AGO

    How to Join Kids Playing (Amelia, Age 9)

    Ep. 124 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Watch then blend | 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: - What are some reasons why kids might sit alone at recess? - What is your favorite thing to do at recess? Who likes to do it with you? - Why is it important to think about the what/who/how questions before trying to join a group? - Why might it be easiest to join a single kid, playing alone, or a group of four or more? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 4 - One friend feels left out (Thomas, Age 13)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-71f Ep. 49 - Feeling different and rejected (Charlotte, Age 8)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/charlotte-age-8-feeling-different 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

    7 min

  2. NOV 1

    How to Keep Friends (Eva, Age 6)

    Ep. 123 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Making friends and keeping friends require different skills | 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: - Dr. Friendtastic said that keeping a friendship involves 1) building up the positives in the relationship and 2) minimizing the negatives. Which of these do you think has a bigger impact on friendships, positive or negative interactions? Why? - Think of a time when you and a friend faced a friendship rough spot. What happened? How did you get past it? - What is one kind thing a friend has done for you? - What is one kind thing you have done for a friend? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 110 - Being apart from a friend (Matilda, Age 5)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep110-being-apart-from-a-friend-matilda-age5 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 Ep. 90 - Friend breaks a promise (Alma, Age 7) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep90-alma-age-7-friend-breaks-a-promise Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min

  3. OCT 25

    Excluded because he’s a boy (Calvin, Age 8)

    Ep. 122 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship is about people, not categories | 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: - Which of the silly contests described at the start of this episode would you like to play with your friends? - What is the difference between keeping score with friends and keeping score about friends? - Why does it matter whether the other friends are whispering to each other or just talking to each other? - If your friend does something you don’t like, what are some reasons you might decide NOT to say anything about it? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: 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. 77 - Friend is nicer to someone else (Maya, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep77-maya-age-8-friend-is-nicer-to-someone-else Ep. 114 - Friend is ignoring her! (Emma, Age 13) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/friend-is-ignoring-her-emma-age-13 Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min

  4. OCT 18

    Close friend and new friend leave her out! (Sara, Age 8)

    Ep. 121 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Don’t keep score in 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: - Which of the silly contests described at the start of this episode would you like to play with your friends? - What is the difference between keeping score with friends and keeping score about friends? - Why does it matter whether the other friends are whispering to each other or just talking to each other? - If your friend does something you don’t like, what are some reasons you might decide NOT to say anything about it? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: 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. 77 - Friend is nicer to someone else (Maya, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep77-maya-age-8-friend-is-nicer-to-someone-else Ep. 114 - Friend is ignoring her! (Emma, Age 13) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/friend-is-ignoring-her-emma-age-13 Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    7 min

  5. OCT 11

    Best friend playing with someone else (Metis, Age 6)

    Ep. 120 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being apart doesn’t have to end 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: - How could you try to be enjoyable company when you’re with a friend? - Dr. Friendtastic mentioned two plans that are NOT a good idea for dealing with your friend playing with someone else. What were those plans, and why are they not a good idea? - Why is it a good idea to try to be friends with a friend’s friend? - Why is having more than one friend a good way to take care of yourself? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 111 - Friend won’t forgive her (Thea, Age 10)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep111-friend-wont-forgive-her-thea-age11 Ep. 94 - Before you confront a friend https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep94-before-you-confront-a-friend Ep. 26 - Friendship doesn’t have to be all or nothing (Abigail, Age 10) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-26-abigail Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    7 min

  6. OCT 4

    Having friends of different ages (Oliver, Age 11)

    Ep. 119 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Having friends of different ages .| 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: - Have you ever had a friend who was in an older or younger grade than you? How did you meet and become friends? - What do you think are the main characteristics of a good friend? - Have you ever had a rough spot with a friend? What happened? Were you able to continue the friendship? - Dr. Friendtastic says, “Kindness is the key to friendship.” What does that mean? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 67 - Choosing good friends (Paul, Age 12) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/paul-age-12-choosing-friends-who Ep. 102 - How to express your feelings with friends (Aida, age 5) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep102-how-to-express-your-feelings-with-friends  Ep. 96: Dealing with a bossy friend (Grace, age 9) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/dealing-with-a-bossy-friend-grace Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    5 min

  7. SEP 27

    Best friends are all taken?! (Sadie, Age 10)

    Ep. 118 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What to do when everyone else seems paired up | 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: - Have you ever had a best friend? What did you do to build your friendship? - Dr. Friendtastic said, “Friendships aren’t all or nothing.” What does that mean? - How might increasing your kind actions lead to more friends or closer friends? - Why is getting together with a friend outside of where you have to see them a good way to deepen friendships? [Hint: What does the invitation communicate to the friend?] - How is a friend different from a chair (other than appearance)? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 73 - Best friend suddenly stops playing with him (J.J., Age 11) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep73-jj-age-11-best-friend-stops-playing-with-him  Ep. 48 - New friend claims to be best friend (Lily, Age 6) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/lily-age-6-new-friend-claims-to-be-best-friend Ep. 46 - Wishing for a best friend (Anna, Age 9) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/anna-age-9-wishing-for-best-friend Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min
  8. BONUS Episode: Jealousy and Openness - Part 2

    SEP 25 · BONUS

    BONUS Episode: Jealousy and Openness - Part 2

    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 friendships. Instead of letting these feelings break their friendships, children can learn to approach them with curiosity and use them to understand what matters to them. Next up: * Anger & Forgiveness (Sept 30, Oct 2) - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic is featured * Belonging & Independence (Oct 7, 9) - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic is featured * Embarrassment & Pride (Oct 14, 16) * Love & Sadness (Oct 21, 23) * Endings & Beginnings (Oct 28, 30) I've also created downloadable SEL Activity Sheets for each episode to help you continue the conversation at home and deepen what your child learns from the episode: Activity Sheets (PDFs) Listen to the rest of the episodes wherever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/1502915722 I hope this is helpful for your family! Please share your thoughts in the comments. Warm wishes, Dr. Eileen Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    25 min
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Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic is a weekly, 5-min. podcast for children about making and keeping friends. Each episode features an audio recording of a question about friendship from a kid (gr. K-8) plus a practical and thought-provoking answer from Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, (aka Dr. Friendtastic,) an author and clinical psychologist based in Princeton, NJ. For transcripts and discussion questions: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast. To submit a question: https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit. For parent resources: https://EileenKennedyMoore.com drfriendtastic.substack.com

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