Interview With a 10 Year Old Genius
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Answer This
Is every child gifted in his or her own way?
See results without votingThe Gifted Child
They told me she’s gifted, a brilliant child. But honestly, isn’t every child gifted and brilliant? So just what did the school counselor mean when she told me my daughter was gifted? The school wanted my permission to place Bette in special classes that moved faster to hold her attention and make her work to her fullest potential. Well, heck. Who was I to hold my daughter back? As a proud mama I signed that permission form and never looked back. Sometimes my daughter can be downright creepy with her abilities. She was reading and performing simple math at age 4. She just seemed to already know things I would ask her. So anyways, I sat down with the little smarty and interviewed her for a couple reasons. One, she’s my daughter and I love finding out how and what she’s doing. Two, this is something she can look back on when she’s older (like a teen) and hates me.
The Bad Joke
My daughter and I sat down on the couch together, cozy under a blanket, with Spongebob Squarepants playing in the background. I could tell she was a little apprehensive at first by the glances she kept giving my notebook, trying to see what I had written there. So I eased into the interview with an easy, light question.
Ardie: What is your favorite joke?
Bette: Well, it’s actually a riddle, is that okay? (Ardie nods) Alright, you’re stuck in a hotel room and there’s no door or windows. How do you get out? (Ardie shrugs) You cut a table in half. The two halves make a whole. Then you can crawl out through the hole!
Ardie: Oh, that’s very…interesting. Clever really.
Bette: Well, I did have another joke but then I’d have to spell out a bad word. (crickets chirping because I was in shock) A little boy walked up to his mom and said “T-G-I-F, thank goodness it’s Friday!” The mom then replied “Oh, S-H-I-T. Sorry honey it's Thursday.” There was an awkward silence as I didn’t know how to respond to that.
Ardie: I don’t think that’s appropriate for an interview with a 10 year old genius, let’s move on.
I Dunno
As we sat in silence a moment Bette flipped through the pages of her book casually, pretending she was looking for a certain spot. I cleared my throat and started:
Ardie: I've heard people say you're a genius, do you believe that?
Bette: I dunno. And make sure you spell that d-u-n-n-o.
Ardie: What's your favorite subject in school?
Bette: Math because I'm good at it.
Ardie: So then, are you a math genius?
Bette: (flipping her hair like a mad woman) I. Dun. No.
Ardie: Okay, moving on again. Do you have any hobbies?
Bette: Uuum, playing Halo, playing on my DSi, reading, watching TV, petting the dog, and holding the cat.
Ardie: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Bette: A wildlife photographer.
Ardie: Why?
Bette: (growling) I hate the why's! I guess because I like animal pictures...
Ardie: Who is your hero? Who do you want to be like and why?
Bette: My parents...because...they take care of me.
Rapid Fire
By this point my daughter was getting a lot more comfortable with the interview. She was even leaning towards me after answering so she could watch me write. I decided to set her back on edge by throwing out a WHAM question:
Ardie: I've heard some rumors lately. Are you seeing anyone right now?
Bette: Seeing them for what? Seeing how? (Good, she was stuttering)
Ardie: You know, seeing them and dating someone like a boyfriend...
Bette: (sitting straight up and glaring) NO (her arms are crossed, mission accomplished!)
Ardie: Ready for the rapid fire?
Bette: What does that mean?
Ardie: Everything I ask now will be one word and you will state your favorite of that one word
Bette: Ooooh, yes!
Ardie: Movie
Bette: Journey to the Center of the Earth
Ardie: Color
Bette: The citrus group (meaning orange, yellow and green)
Ardie: Toy
Bette: Pokemon action figures
Ardie: Book
Bette: Series, The Last Dragon Chronicles
Ardie: Food
Bette: Mmmm bacon
Ardie: Mmmm bacon. Holiday
Bette: Christmas!
Math and Urine
Bette had done very well under the pressure. I offered her a drink and a break but she simply wiped her brow and gestured for me to continue. The tension had built between us and I knew she was ready to end this. So I decided to add a little fun for her.
Ardie: I am going to give you a math problem to complete in your head while I time you. Let me know when you're ready.
Bette: (eyes aglow) okay, go.
Ardie: 46 times 13 (I started the timer)
I watched in anticipation, counting off every second, while Bette squeezed her eyes shut, pushed the pointer finger of each hand to the bridge of her nose, and silently moved her lips. After 32 seconds her eyes popped open.
Bette: Is it 598?
Ardie: Yes. Do you have any phobias, extreme fears?
Bette: Tornados
Ardie: Because of the storm we had a few years back?
Bette: Yes - sissy pee'd her pants
Ardie: She was only 3
Bette: It was gross
I quickly realized we had lost track of the interview. There were only two questions left so I asked the next most important question of this entire ordeal:
Ardie: If you could be any Harry Potter character who would you be and why?
Bette: Ginny Weasley because she's hot and I want to be hot.
Ardie: Oh! Okay then. One more. What is the scariest thing you've ever done
Bette: Besides that tornado? Surgery. I didn't know what was going on and it sucked.
Ardie: Very well. You've done fantastic tonight and I thank you for your time.
Bette: Mommy, don't be weird.
Ardie: Sorry
Please visit the following Hub to see how you can help your child reach his or her fullest potential
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Triplet Mom, that IS creepy...like they're little replicas! Not that your son doesnt already have two of those :) And your son is about the same age, right? One day when they are older they will have to play math games online :D
Aww...this is so cute! I loved, "The citrus group." Ha.
Thanks! Bette will be most pleased in the morning to see that her little interview got commented on :)
What colorful, creative answers Bette gave!! This is a really cute hub. I loved reading. :) I also feel a little inept...I mean who can do 46 x 13 in 32 seconds in their head?? Bette can! I'll just stick to the writing. hehehehe Voted up and some other buttons...
Wonderful, cute and smart hub :)! ... I'll be very happy if my future children will show some signs of advanced reading, calculating or interest for any other topic at a higher level.
What we need is just let them do what they are most interested in and encourage them to give their best at it, and I'm sure we could discover that little genius in any kid :) ...
Ardie, I was completely in your world. I was sitting with you on the couch. I feel I know Bette almost. I love the sound of you and your family. I'm so happy to have made friends with you here.
BTW, they did that to me at school. They put me in two classes ahead of my time. I was completely dumbstruck and in tears. I felt I was with all these grown ups and wanted to be with my friends, of course they were children but two years my senior It was at that moment I started to have mind blanks because although I was bright, emotionally I was two years younger. I only mentioned it because I have never come across this before up until now.
wow...heaven sent...gifted child indeed Ardie just like her mom...
Ok, first off I want to know who voted that some kids can be pretty stupid hahahah!!! Silly (although true).
Hello cclitgirl, Its always a pleasure to see you. I knew Bette would be a fun interview because she is so quirky. Don't feel inept - I am B-A-D at math. Maybe that's why I am so impressed with her skills :)
Dusan! Im glad to see you back in HP. Smart parents usually make smart children so I wouldn't be too surprised to learn you have brilliant kids. I agree ALL kids have the potential to be great if their specific talents are recognized and nurtured from an early age.
Hello dear Lesley :) I'm so glad we've made friends too - you're such an interesting woman! And now I know why I am drawn to you, I appreciate intelligence. Which you obviously have since you were advanced in school. I bet it was scary for you - I've read that gifted children are often lacking in emotional maturity so the two year age difference would've been huge. My dear Bette (bless her) can still act like a 6 year old!! But then again, so can I!
Raci, thank you for reading and for being so sweet!
Brilliant and it warmed my heart. What a gem you have!
What a fantastic interview! Kids are just adorable with what they will share, what they remember and what they never let you forget! Hahaha! Superb! You got my votes!:) P.S. I like your 30/30 sign...good idea! Thanks!
Thanks jenubouka! Im pretty proud of her :D I never hesitate to brag.
Hi Sunshine, glad to see you on this dark, rainy Ohio day. Sometimes I wonder if my kids were born to me JUST to remember the stuff I wish everyone else would forget. My middle one? Oh man does she share EVERYTHING. I constantly remind her that the world doesn't need to know our day to day business :) (I stole the 30/30 sign from Haunty hahah)
Ardie - now how cute is that?? Haha! Adorable! I am glad you let her go into the excellerated program! My nephew is 14 now but he's been in them since like 1st grade....we noticed he was a math whiz when he was about 4 too:). We'd ask him like what is 125 + 300? And he'd work it out in seconds in his head! Crazy smart these kids are now! They call his program Reach. He does really cool stuff - recently won a science fair and went to regional - he rebuilt a knee and showed how tension works! Lol. I love all that stuff. Your daughter sounds so funny - I love that she has
such a cute sense of humor:). Tell her the weird moms are the best! Lol
Thank you for the interview, ladies! It's always a pleasure to be allowed a glimpse into the mind of someone so smart as Bette. I love the first joke, because it's a play on words put to practical use. Also, the monsters are quite the phenomena. Way to go Bette and Ardie! :D
Hi RHW! My daughter actually enjoys the gifted program because it lets her be in classes with kids like herself. For the longest time she'd dummy herself down to fit in better. Now she's just a part of the group naturally. Good for your nephew! Is he looking to mentor a little girl? Hahah probably not. She usually does appreciate having a weird mom, I even ask her about it from time to time to make sure I dont embarrass her!!
Hi Haunty :)Thank YOU for reading! Its no fun to get interviewed and then have no reads. The play on words is right for Bette - she thinks that stuff is hilarious...goofy kid :D
Would love to hear the follow up interview in ten years time - 1) To see her embarrassment.'Mom...how could you make me do that!' and 2) To see how the genius is getting on.Like Mother like Daughter I reckon.
Hello Posh! If I am around in even 5 years time I will do a follow up and see how the answers have changed ;) I bet she will hate me then...15? Yup, she'll hate me :)
You're a lucky mother to had a smart child. Voted up beautiful and awesome. my friend
Thank you writer20 - I think I am very lucky too :) I appreciate the votes!
What a smart little girl! I love her drawings! :)
Hello Feline :) thank you! I love her drawings too - it seems like everything I am horrible at she can do great. I am a horrendous artist and I stink at math...go figure.
Congrats on having such a smart and terrific daughter. I enjoyed reading this interview. Tell Bette to look into books which give you a chance to solve all sorts of interesting and amazing math problems not just the regular school kind. I think she'd enjoy them we have those kinds of books here and children do like and use them.Sh?'s a wonderful artist as well.
Hi Gypsy Rose! Im proud of Bette, she has a good head on her shoulders in so many ways (as do her sisters). I wonder if the kind of book you are talking about has the kind of problems her one teacher sent home weekly in 4th grade. The worksheet was math but it encouraged the kids to think outside the box - meaning the problems were very very critical thinking in nature as opposed to just numbers and black and white answers. We had SUCH a hard time with those papers hahah but they DID encourage Bette to think on a much broader spectrum by the end of the year
Sounds like a fun interview and I'm sure it built your relationship. Great idea for getting to know her better.
Ardie...This is a really sweet hub...you and your daughter snuggled up and interacting. Bette (love her name!) has quite a future ahead throughout her school years...Reading and math? No two better, more important subjects to excell in....!! Good luck to you both.
I thoroughly applaud you for allowing your daughter to go through an accelerated program. My child is too young to be considered for it yet, but as a 5 year old, she uses an abacus to do 2nd grade math (her teacher says it is 2nd grade math).
Your daughter is smart and probably was able to do the math problem quickly because she can see outside the box. The quick way to solve that problem would be to break it down. 46 x 10 and 46 x 3 and add them together. An average person would simply try to do 46 X 13 and get lost in it.
Hello TamsR :) I had so much fun doing this with my daughter - and would you believe it, but she keeps asking for a repeat interview! I guess she realized it was fun to talk about herself. So typical, wouldn’t you agree?
Fpherj – thank you so much!! I love nothing more than cuddling with my kids :) and winter is the best time for that because I live in an old drafty house. I hope I can find a way to keep my daughter interested in her studies as she gets older…I’d hate to see the brains wasted on 'stupid' teen stuff.
Hello BakingBread :) Thank you for such kind words!! Your sweetie sounds like she will be following along soon enough into the higher classes. My daughter had “notations” on her papers that she was above and beyond but the real diagnosis (joke) of being gifted wasn’t made until 2nd grade when she could take a test for it. Sounds like your daughter got her math skills from you – I have NO clue where mine got hers. I wouldn’t even attempt 46x13 without paper hahah
Isn't it bizarre how you can't test a child before second grade? Times certainly have changed from when I was little. I was in 1st grade at 5 and graduated high school at 16 because they made me wait. They also can't test for dyslexia or other medical issues before age 7-8 because a lot of what you might think are these problems are actually normal 5 y.o. stuff. Apparently, being brillant is not normal but also not tested before 7-8 (could it just be that we have really smart 4/5/6 y.o. kids and they are teaching down to the ones who aren't?
Thats a really good question BB101. I know some of my kids' classes had the students broken up into levels within the classroom and none of the kids knew which level meant what (yah right - my daughter knew she was the smart kid). Each level moved at a different pace to enrich the smarties but to not leave the normal kids behind. I know that sounds snooty and I dont mean for it to at all. I have two that are average to slightly above average and they are brilliant in different ways! Anyways, I hope your daughter gets a teacher who will put in the extra effort to give her more difficult work.
Very exciting Ardie! I find it awesome you as a loving mom focus in on all your children. Your Blog does this wonderfully. I smiled when reading this interview and feel I know your daughter much better. Take a peak at http://ong.ohio.gov/family/deployment/emotional_in I think you will enjoy it bunches.
And for Bette, only Bette, I have this.
Which word in the dictionary is spelled incorrectly?
Remember to smile and have fun, fun, fun , , ,
This was adorable Ardie, you are such a fun mom! Your writing made me feel as if I was sitting there with you, i.e., it was great!
tsmog! You did make it over here :) Thank you so much because my recognition as a good mom means I have fulfilled my life's purpose - as cheesy as that may sound. I feel I was born to be a mommy. I really do need to get back to my blog - its been neglected for so long. I will look into the site you suggest ONLY because its from you.
I will ask Bette this question as soon as she comes home :) It will be interesting to see her answer!
Hi Sharyn! Thanks for saying Im a fun mom - I really do try and I know sometimes I fail. For instance, I was a slave driver last night. "Make your bed! Wash these dishes! Sweep the bathroom! Empty the trash!" Hahah
Sounds like you have one smart handful!!! Math abilities like hers are fascinating. Does anyone in your family share this ability? Just wondering. Thanks for this interesting hub!!!
Hi kelleyward, Im happy to see you :) I do have my hands full - thank goodness she's a good kid for the most part. She DOES try to pull a fast one now and again but I'm still smarter (for now). There are people with the same math skills in the family and I am so glad for that - THEY can help her when she needs help on homework!!
She is HOW old? No wonder you find it a little bit scary. Brilliant and a wonderful sense of humor, too. :)
Hello Sinea :) My sweet baby is 10 BUT she'll be 11 in March so she's a big ten. Thanks for the sweet comment - I will read it to her when she walks through and she will get such a huge head she wont be able to walk through the door hahah
very entertaining!
I loved the S-H-I-T joke, but then- it wasn't coming from my child, lol. I really enjoyed reading this hub :o) Voted up!
Thanks PDX :)
Hi Nichole, it was really difficult NOT to laugh at the fact that my smart, sweet little girl totally spelled that right to my face!!! Thanks for the vote.
I got no kid but I love mother-daughter stories. I have a good relationship with my mother, so when I come across stories like this, its a heart warmer. I love reading the comments too. Thank you parent hubbers for sharing.
Hello tenkay :) I really appreciate you reading this Hub - its near and dear to me since its about my near dear!! Hahah Thanks for coming in.
What a super idea to interview your daughter, so you can look back on it and remember her at that age. Very sweet. Tell her I liked that Friday - Thursday joke.
Aw thanks Millionaire Tips! I plan to interview my other two daughters when they're a bit older. I dont think they'd sit long enough right now :) I will tell my daughter you liked her joke and I know how she will react "I told you it was funny MOM."
Hello friend. I re-read this after re-reading 'Meeting My Nemesis' and a broad smile painted over my face. I thought of therapy today with the Maj. my Tdoc is now a character in a short story Maj meaning major as in rank. The story is battle torn something or other can't remember just now.
Any hoot, did you ever ask Bette the question? RE: Dictionary and word. I'm curious. And, though not taking a trip to your blog - just how are the little ones, 'healing?' And you? And, the BB Junkie, what of him? I watched Moneyball a bit back, wondering if ya'll did too?
I'm gon'na publish my story the Magical Pony. I found or vice-versa an illustrator for it. I would be interested if Bette thinks it is too complicated or advice from you :)
Well, this seems to be a letter, and you may not know, you are a trusted science officer in a fictional hub, which for the life of me can I remember the name.
I'm happy to see your pretty smile bouncing in and out again. I have to admit and this is a compliment, when I make a smarta** comment at work, that image pops in my head and I smile, making the comment a gesture of love, causing a smile from the another sparking a short conversation, in sometimes a bleak day. See the kind of affect you have with people and just think of the miraculous effect that ensues - you are special indeed. Welcome for sure.
Tim
Triplet Mom Level 3 Commenter 4 months ago
Ardie - I have to say that this hub totally freaked me out. Meaning not only does your daughter totally remind me of my son (I mean every part of this hub)but my son told me the same riddle when he was a little boy. My son's favorite subject is math too and before Kindergarten started he was doing math and reading and that scared me a little bit. Thank you for writing this. Somehow it makes me feel a little bit more "normal".