abacusmom Admissions, Books, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

Too Much Publicity about ERB Prep?

Yes.  With the New York Times article about ERB prep books, the cat is out of the bag. Prepping for kindergarten admission is rampant.  NYC private school admissions directors, who meet regularly to discuss admissions policies, are not going to sit idly by.  For many years, they have explicitly discouraged prepping.  Many parents (and educational … Continue reading Too Much Publicity about ERB Prep?

abacusmom Books, Children's Books, Children's Classes, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, NYC Public Schools, Westchester Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

Best Books for Moving to Westchester, New Jersey, Long Island, Connecticut

Leaving New York City?  Thanks to the recession as well as normal migration, many New Yorkers with young children will move to nearby suburbs this summer.  Not all New Yorkers are thrilled about this--some approach a move with trepidation.  Relax--the suburbs have much to offer.  Some books with more info about the tristate area suburban … Continue reading Best Books for Moving to Westchester, New Jersey, Long Island, Connecticut

abacusmom Asperger's NYC, Auditory Processing NYC, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Children's Books, Children's Classes, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, NYC Public Schools, Occupational Therapy NYC, Parenting, Physical Therapy NYC, Private Schools, Public Schools, Reading, Riverdale Private Schools, Special Needs Manhattan, Special Needs NYC, Speech Therapy NYC

Best Books for Moving to New York City: Public Schools

Moving to New York City?  As an educational consultant who helps relocating families find Manhattan and Brooklyn schools, neighborhoods, and enrichment activities, people often come to me for book recommendations.  Here are some of my favorites for NYC transferees and residents looking at NYC public schools: New York City's Best Public Elementary Schools: A Parent's … Continue reading Best Books for Moving to New York City: Public Schools

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

Private School Kindergarten Essay: What Not to Write (Part Two)

Fictional Parent StatementNavy School Your school (Navy) is expensive, but we can afford it. With our annual bonuses and pay packages, we are in a very good position. We also think we can really get the bidding going at the annual fundraiser. A student-created quilt would be just the thing for our foyer, and we … Continue reading Private School Kindergarten Essay: What Not to Write (Part Two)

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

ERB Prep Kit

As part of my educational consulting programs, I offer "Preschoolers' Prep".  Preschoolers' Prep helps families understand what skills and abilities private school admissions directors seek from child kindergarten applicants.  Admissions directors evaluate children for kindergarten based upon their ERB score, child interview, and school report. The right toys and workbooks can help preschoolers develop many … Continue reading ERB Prep Kit

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Educational Consulting, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Reading, Westchester Private Schools

Private School Kindergarten Essay: What Not to Write (Part One)

Fictional Parent Statement Navy School There are many four-year-olds in this city.  But none compare to Tempo Knickerbocker, beloved daughter of Cappy and Bill Knickerbocker. (In case you are wondering, we are the Knickerbocker family, originally settling in the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam in 1665.) Since birth, Tempo demonstrated exceptional promise and precocity.  She reached all developmental milestones … Continue reading Private School Kindergarten Essay: What Not to Write (Part One)

abacusmom Books, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Reading

Lenore Skenazy’s Free Range Kids is Coming

I had the pleasure of speaking this evening with Lenore Skenazy, the columnist who wrote "Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Take The Subway Alone" for the now sadly deceased New York Sun.  Skenazy's provocative column led to a book deal with Wiley.  Her upcoming book,  Free Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Enjoyed Without Going … Continue reading Lenore Skenazy’s Free Range Kids is Coming