Bright, Complex Kids: Supporting Their Social and Emotional Development

A field guide for understanding the complex characteristics and social and emotional needs of gifted kids.

Many bright and gifted kids do not feel understood or supported. For adults wanting to change that, Bright, Complex Kids provides guidance for gaining entrance to their internal world. This practical and easy-to-use field guide includes ideas for how and why to: 

• listen and respond
• self-monitor adult biases
• avoid communicating awe of high ability because of the potential impact on trust and openness
• apply knowledge of learning disabilities
• help high-ability children and teens make sense of themselves 

Well-known gifted experts Jean Sunde Peterson, Ph.D., and Daniel B. Peters, Ph.D., wrote Bright, Complex Kids to be an accessible short course for adults wanting to build a base of knowledge for understanding and supporting the social and emotional needs of highly able children and teens. From how adults can be involved to insights on the social and emotional development of bright kids, each chapter has a section with “points to ponder.”

Additional information is provided about characteristics, anxiety, perfectionism, resilience, underachievement, twice-exceptionality, and hidden distress to provide a picture of the whole child. A free downloadable PLC/Book Study Guide is available at freespirit.com/PLC.