Polls for Parents of Gifted Children

Find out how your experiences, thoughts, and opinions line up with those of other parents of gifted children. The polls are loosely arranged according to whether they are about the children themselves, about their education, or about their family life, including parenting issues.

Take these polls and then be sure to visit the forum and talk about the results!

Polls About Gifted Children

1. Does your child seem to have a never-ending supply of questions?
   Why? Why? Why? Some parents may hear that a lot from their gifted child...that and numerous other questions. Are you one of those parents?
   
   
2. Does (or did) your child ever think he or she is stupid if concepts aren't immediately understood?
   Gifted kids may be smart, but they don't always feel that way. How about your child?
   
   
3. What is socialization?
   Parents of gifted kids are often told that their child is having trouble socializing or has poor socialization skills. But what exactly is socialization? What do you think?
   
   
4. Which statement about friendships best describes your child?
   Some gifted children have no trouble making friends, but many of them do. And some gifted children prefer to make friends with older kids. What is your child like?
   
   
5. What kind of child do you have?
   Some children are globally gifted, while others are gifted in one specific domain, such as verbally gifted or mathematically gifted. What about your child?
   
   
6. When did your child start talking?
   Many gifted children start talking quite early, while others start talking rather late, but start talking in complete sentences. Still others start talking around the same time other children do. Which group was your child in?
   
   
7. Does your child think he or she should be able to do something on the first try?
   Many gifted children think they should be able to grasp a concept or learn a skill without any effort.
   
   
8. Was your child an early reader?
   It is estimated that about one half of all gifted children read before the age of four.
   
   
9. Does (or did) your child have any obsessions?
   Some gifted kids seem to have an unending interest in some idea or thing.
   
   
10. Does your child have strong sensitivities to foods?
    Many gifted children are very picky eaters. Is your child one of them?
    
    
11. Is your child exceptionally sensitive?
    
    
12. Ever been told your child has ADHD?
    If you are the parent of a gifted child, has anyone ever suggested that your child has ADHD?

Polls About School and Gifted Children

1. Should Least Restrictive Environment Apply to Gifted Children?
   Special needs kids are guaranteed the right by law to the "least restrictive" environment in school. Some feel the same phrase should apply to gifted kids. What do you think?
   
   
2. Is Gifted Education Elitist?
   Many people think gifted education is elitist, only for those from wealthy, advantaged families. What do you think?
   
   
3. Does your child have issues with homework?
   Although many people expect gifted children to breeze through homework and get straight A's, the truth is some gifted kids don't get their homework done. What about your child?
   
   
4. Does your child worry about grades?
   Some gifted children get quite upset when they get less than an A. Does yours?
   
   
5. Do you believe abilities "even out" by third or fourth grade?
   Some people think so; others don't. See how many people see it the way you do.
   
   
6. If Only Teachers Would...
   How would you complete that sentence?
   
   

Polls About Family Life and Parenting Gifted Children

1. Do you have trouble keeping up with your gifted child?
   Lots of people accuse parents of gifted of pushing their children, but most of those parents feel they are being dragged by their children. How do you feel?
   
   
2. Parental Disagreement
   Quite often parents of gifted children don't support the idea of giftedness. In most cases, if one does not support the idea, it's dad. What is it like at your house?
   
   
3. Sharing Stories or Bragging?
   Do you sometimes feel like your bragging when all you want to do is share stories about your child? See how other parents feel. Take the poll!
   
   
4. Do you find it difficult to find toys your child likes?
   Parents of gifted children often discover that their children are not interested in toys that most other children enjoy.
   
   
5. What does "gifted" mean to you?
   Few people, even experts, agree on the definition of "gifted." What do you think it means?
   
   
6. Happy Days of Summer
   Are you relieved when school gets out and your child is home for the summer?