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

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

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

Latest Episodes:

Friend wants space (Sloane, Age 6) Dec 07, 2025

Show notes

Ep. 127 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Closeness vs. separateness in 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 have you tried to learn about other cultures? (Hint: Do you know any words in a different language? Have you eaten food from a different culture? Have you had the chance to travel to different countries? Have you read books about someone who lives in a different country or comes from a different culture?)

- Do you like physical affection with friends or do you prefer a hands-off style of relating? How do you let friends know what you prefer?

- Has a friend ever told you they wanted space from you or didn’t want to be your friend anymore? What happened?

- Have you ever wanted physical or emotional space from a friend? How did you handle that?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 123 - How to Keep Friends (Eva, Age 6) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep123-how-to-keep-friends-eva-age-6

Ep. 111 - Friend won’t forgive her (Thea, Age 10) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep111-friend-wont-forgive-her-thea-age11

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

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

The Right Gift for a Friend (Saanvi, Age 12) Nov 29, 2025

Show notes

Re-release Ep. 37 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: The Joy of Giving | 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 is the best gift you ever received from a friend? What makes you think it’s the best?

- Why do you think Saanvi’s parents don’t want her to give her friend an expensive gift? What are some reasons why giving a friend an expensive gift might not be a good idea?

- What is something you gave to a friend that didn’t cost any money, but the friend really liked it?

- Dr. Friendtastic listed a bunch of ideas of possible gifts for a friend that cost little or no money: teaching the friend something, helping a friend with chores, makin a drawing or a craft, yummy food, a photo collage, a slide show, or a video about the two of you, writing a letter or a card telling the friend how much they mean to you. Which of those would you most like to receive? Which of these–or another idea–would you most like to give to a friend?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 47 - Why friendships matter (Brayden, Age 9) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/brayden-age-9-why-are-friends-important

Ep. 67: Choosing good friends (Paul, Age 12) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/paul-age-12-choosing-friends-who

Ep. 123 - How to keep friends (Eva, Age 6) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep123-how-to-keep-friends-eva-age-6

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

How to Have a Conversation - for Kids Nov 22, 2025

Show notes

Ep. 126 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Talking and Listening with Friends | 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:

- 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

Not picked to play on team (Charlie, Age 9) Nov 15, 2025

Show notes

Ep. 125 - 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 ways to pick teams that are fair and kind to everyone?

- Why is it sometimes hard for kids to be a good sport?

- How do you decide who to play with at recess? (Hint: What might make you choose to try to join one group of kids but not another?)

- Have you ever “started the fun” at recess? If so, what did you do? If not, what fun game or activity could you try to start with other kids?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 124 - How to Join Kids Playing (Amelia, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep124-how-to-join-kids-playing-amelia-age9

Ep. 107 - Secrets to self-control in friendship and life (Alex, Age 10)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep107-secrets-to-self-control-in-friendship-and-life-alex

Ep. 7 – Emma, Age 11: Friend is a poor sport

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep7-poor-sport-friend

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

How to Join Kids Playing (Amelia, Age 9) Nov 08, 2025

Show notes

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

How to Keep Friends (Eva, Age 6) Nov 01, 2025

Show notes

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

Excluded because he’s a boy (Calvin, Age 8) Oct 25, 2025

Show notes

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

Close friend and new friend leave her out! (Sara, Age 8) Oct 18, 2025

Show notes

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

Best friend playing with someone else (Metis, Age 6) Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

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

Having friends of different ages (Oliver, Age 11) Oct 04, 2025

Show notes

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

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