How to talk to anyone: the experts' guide

Handle awkward date silences, end a conversation with a stranger - plus chat to your children, your parents and your boss. Our panel shares their secrets

Children often don't have the words to say what they're feeling, and they don't always understand what we're looking for when we ask them questions. So if you ask, "How was your day?" and you're met with a grunt or a shrug, it's not because your child is trying to hide something from you. It's because they don't see why you could possibly want to know, or which part of their day you're interested in. It can help to make your questions more specific: "What was the best thing about your day? What was the hardest thing?" And, of course, it helps if you are really listening. We often don't give children our full attention.