I am here to help the latter group.

you’re able to do it.

Kids can be wonderful conversationalists if they feel you are genuinely interested in them.

Theyre just like us!

Address them by their namenot Little Dude or Princess or Dans kid.Its basic respect.

Dont change your voice.Its true that babies respond well to a higher-pitched sing-song tone.

But with kids over 3, just talk like yourself.

You might use simpler phrases when speaking with children, but dont dumb down your words.

They are grapes, not grapies, writes a mom named Tiffany.

(I may be tearing up right now.)

Go with the weird.Writes a dad named Brendan:Dont correct them if they tell you something crazy.

I cannot stand people that squash kids creativity or fun by dismissing or correcting goofy things they say.

Plus, he says, its fun to pretend.

Ask him what he ate there and if he met any new friends.

It allows them to take the lead.

Name-drop familiar kid interests in casual conversations.This is a trick Ive learned.

Instead of asking a child Have you ever been to Disneyland?

(yes, end of conversation), try slipping in familiar kid-interests in your own stories.

I was riding the Teacups at Disneyland and I spun really fast and felt so dizzy.

Their eyes will light up as they think I, TOO, HAVE FELT DIZZY ON THE TEACUP RIDE.

Theyll likely jump in with their own fascinating stories.

Show them off and tell the kid how you got the scar, writes a mom named Clovis.

Learn a few kid games.Kids love Would You Rather … Clovis adds.

Would you rather fly or be invisible?

Would you rather be rich or powerful?

Would you rather eat worms or crickets?

Pick a Hand is also a winner.

Get resourceful.Have something possibly interesting in your bag?

you’ve got the option to make a tornado in a half-empty water bottle.

Or let them play with a stack of mini Post-Its.

Be yourself.Kids look to adults for cues on how to act.

So if youre uncomfortable, they will be, too.

But if you talk to them like any other person in a natural way, theyll open up.

Once they do, listen.

You might even learn something new.