How to Talk to Kids

Talking with kids involves many things, the use of words (what we say and how we say it), ideas and feelings.  We communicate in different ways such as with words (kind, unkind, assertive, gentle), with looks (scowls, smiles, frowns), with silence (warm, cold and comfortable), and actions (hugs, slaps, kisses, patting).
Many adults do not have trouble communicating with kids when it simply involves giving directions or instructions (how to ride a bike) or explaining things (why that house caught on fire).  They often have difficulty communicating when feelings are involved, be it their kids feelings or their own.
Being able to effectively talk with kids helps to develop warm relationships, cooperation and healthy self-esteem.
Parents struggling to communicate with their kids often leads to conflicts and bickering, kids who simply "switch off" and have low self worth.
The strategies I suggest in this book will be helpful and suited to many children, but of course all kids have different needs so you will need to improvise and add details where you feel appropriate. 
I have written this book as a resource guide for talking with kids about sensitive issues and also to give you a starting point.
Talking with your kids in my opinion is the only way you can ensure that they are learning the correct information and the values you wish to instill.  You need to be consistent, reliable and open to discussion as much as you possibly can.
The world we live in is constantly changing and evolving.  We need to try to help our kids comprehend various issues that even we sometimes struggle to understand.
Any time that a child is curious enough to ask a question, it becomes a teachable moment for us to take advantage.  Although we may find some issues difficult to explain, we must try.  If we want our kids to remain motivated to come to us to ask questions, we must keep the lines of communication open and offer answers.