Time to Talk Day 2025: Encouraging Conversations with Children – Tips for Parents

Emma Yentis hosted a webinar for Tassomai parents about having conversations with children, whether they are in primary school, secondary school, or even university, and how vital they  are for fostering understanding, emotional intelligence, and resilience.

On Time to Talk Day 2025, this blog post summarises the webinar – which you can watch at the bottom of this page – and explores effective ways to encourage meaningful conversations with children.

“Talking with children about their thoughts, feelings, and daily experiences is essential for their emotional well-being and development. Yet, starting these conversations, and keeping them meaningful, can sometimes be challenging.

Whether your child is in primary school, secondary school, or even university, creating a supportive environment for open dialogue helps build trust, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Here, we’ll explore practical strategies to encourage meaningful conversations with children, making every interaction an opportunity for connection and growth.”

1. Show Vulnerability

Children respond positively when adults share their own struggles and challenges. By expressing emotions and discussing personal experiences, parents model authenticity, making it easier for children to open up about their feelings and concerns.

2. Talk About Emotions

Despite growing awareness around mental health, talking about emotions can still feel uncomfortable. Parents should model emotional openness, demonstrating that discussing feelings is normal and healthy.

A helpful tool is Zones of Regulation, a program used in many schools that categorises emotions into different colour zones, helping children recognise and manage their feelings effectively.

3. Set Goals Together

Goal-setting provides direction and purpose for children. Whether it's daily, weekly, or long-term goals, referring back to them fosters accountability and encourages ongoing discussions. Checking in regularly, like "You wanted to learn how to write a story. How’s that going?", helps children stay engaged and motivated.

4. Ask Open-Ended Questions

Instead of closed questions like "Did you have a good day?", try "What did you learn today?" or "What was something challenging for you today?"

Open-ended questions invite more in-depth responses and stimulate discussion.

5. Foster Interest and Curiosity

Showing genuine interest in a child’s hobbies and activities, even if they seem trivial to adults, builds trust and encourages ongoing dialogue. Curiosity about the world also promotes a growth mindset, the belief that skills and abilities develop through effort.

A key phrase from Carol Dweck’s work is "I can’t do it... yet." Encouraging children to persist through challenges reinforces resilience and the value of learning from mistakes.

6. Normalise Mistakes and Resilience

Children who fear failure are more likely to give up easily. Parents should emphasise that making mistakes is an essential part of learning. A positive approach could be: "I see that you're frustrated, but I'm really impressed that you're trying again."

7. Encourage Patience

Many children struggle with patience and may rush tasks or give up too soon. Teaching coping strategies such as deep breathing, taking breaks, or prioritising tasks can help them manage frustration effectively.

8. Model Open and Honest Conversations

Being open about personal challenges in an age-appropriate way helps children understand that emotions and struggles are part of life. Authenticity fosters trust and reassures them that it's okay to express their feelings.

9. The Importance of Time to Talk Day

Time to Talk Day focuses on normalising mental health conversations. While progress has been made, stigma still exists. This initiative encourages open dialogue between children, parents, and educators, reinforcing that mental health, like physical health, fluctuates and requires attention.

10. Let the Child Lead the Conversation

Instead of directing discussions, allow children to guide them. Asking "What’s on your mind?" or "Do you want to talk about anything?" creates space for them to share thoughts on their own terms. If they aren’t ready to talk, respect their space while ensuring they know you're available when they are.

11. Create a Safe Space for Conversations

Children are more likely to open up when they feel safe and heard. Creating a non-judgmental environment, where they know they won’t be criticised or dismissed, encourages honest and open discussions.

One way to do this is by engaging in side-by-side conversations, such as talking while driving, drawing, or walking, which can feel less intense than face-to-face discussions.

12. Use Books and Media as Conversation Starters

Books, movies, and TV shows can be powerful tools for discussing emotions and difficult topics. After watching a movie or reading a book together, ask questions like "How do you think the character felt?" or "What would you have done in that situation?" This approach helps children process emotions and develop empathy.

These things take time and consistency so whilst you may not get answers straight away, keep trying and bit by bit you should see a difference. Also, remember that each child and family is different, so you may need to try things differently to find out what best works for you! Encouraging conversations with children takes patience, consistency, and a willingness to model openness. By implementing these strategies, parents can build stronger relationships with their children, foster emotional resilience, and create an environment where talking about feelings is a natural and accepted part of life.

Watch Emma’s webinar in full below:

Video of Emma’s Yentis’ Time to Talk webinar