abacusmom Admissions, Children's Books, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools

Academy of St.Joseph, a Top NYC Private Catholic Academy, is Accepting Applications

Angela Coombs, the Head of School at Academy of St. Joseph, sent Abacus Mom this comprehensive introduction to this warm, well-regarded Village school: Academy of St. Joseph is a private, independent school steeped in the Catholic tradition and welcoming of children of all faiths.  We are accepting applications in PreK3 to 7th grades for the 2015-2016 academic … Continue reading Academy of St.Joseph, a Top NYC Private Catholic Academy, is Accepting Applications

abacusmom Children's Books, Educational Toys

My NYC Clients’ Favorite Learning Toys and Magazine

As a private school consultant, I have the privilege of meeting many Manhattan, Brooklyn and Westchester families in their homes.  These are the toys and media that many of them tell me their children love: Preschool and Kindergarten Magna-Tiles  The biggest set ever.  Get it with world figures for extra fun. Apples to Apples The game of … Continue reading My NYC Clients’ Favorite Learning Toys and Magazine

abacusmom Admissions, Children's Books, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs

ERB WPPSI III Practice Test Now Available

Attention parents who want to get some sense of how their preschoolers will score on the ERB:  Bright Kids has a new workbook just for you, right in time for ERB prep season. ERB WPPSI III Practice Test According to Bright Kids, The Bright Kids ERB-WPPSI-III Practice Test provides parents with a home assessment tool … Continue reading ERB WPPSI III Practice Test Now Available

abacusmom Admissions, Asperger's NYC, Auditory Processing NYC, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Children's Books, Educational Consulting, ERB Prep, ERBs, 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, School advisor, Special Needs Manhattan, Special Needs NYC, Speech Therapy NYC, Westchester Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

Help for Hyperlexia (Thoughts on Gilman’s The Anti-Romantic Child)

If you have, or work with, hyperlexic or other special needs children, you will be interested in Priscilla Gilman's new memoir, The Anti-Romantic Child. The book is about Gilman's experience shepherding her young hyperlexic son, Benj, through babyhood, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school.  Gilman covers in great detail Benj's developmental delays, social skills deficits, experiences with pediatricians, … Continue reading Help for Hyperlexia (Thoughts on Gilman’s The Anti-Romantic Child)

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Children's Books, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Reading, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Westchester Private Schools

ERB / WPPSI Kindergarten Test Prep: Best Toys for ERB Block Design

Here are some toys and workbooks that will help your preschool-aged child do better on the ERB (WPPSI, ECAA) block design subtest and NYC private school kindergarten interviews. These may be especially helpful for doll-players and other children who don't take naturally to manipulatives like blocks and Legos.  And if your children already play with … Continue reading ERB / WPPSI Kindergarten Test Prep: Best Toys for ERB Block Design

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Children's Books, Educational Consulting, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Reading, School advisor, Westchester Private Schools

Big ERB WPPSI News: WPPSI-III Becoming WPPSI-IV?

When New Yorkers talk about the ERB for entry into preK, kindergarten, and 1st grade, they are referring to an exam that consists of subtests from a longer exam, the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI).  This delightful so-called IQ test developed by David Wechsler in 1967 has gone through several iterations including … Continue reading Big ERB WPPSI News: WPPSI-III Becoming WPPSI-IV?

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Children's Books, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, Learn to Read, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Reading, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

ERB / WISC Workbook Now Available for 2nd – 4th Grade NYC Private School Admissions

Bright Kids has released the first workbook specifically targeting the WISC, the test required for 2nd-4th grade admission in NYC private school. ERB/WISC-IV Preparation Guide Bright Kids says: The objective of The Bright Kids ERB/WISC-IV Preparation Guide is to provide practice material to help children succeed on this test. This is for children entering 2nd … Continue reading ERB / WISC Workbook Now Available for 2nd – 4th Grade NYC Private School Admissions

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Children's Books, Educational Consulting, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Learn to Read, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, NYC Public Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Public Schools, Reading, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor

Do NYC Private Schools Teach Reading in Kindergarten or First Grade?

Times writer Sarah Maslin Nir addresses a key issue on many prospective private school parents' minds today, when NYC private schools teach reading:  Reading at Some Private Schools Is Delayed. At some, often more progressive private schools, teaching reading has historically been on a more relaxed timetable, sometimes not until first grade.  In the last few … Continue reading Do NYC Private Schools Teach Reading in Kindergarten or First Grade?

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Children's Books, Educational Consulting, ERB Prep, ERBs, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Reading, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Westchester Private Schools

ERB / WPPSI III Practice Tests? Bright Kids or Aristotle Circle ERB Workbook?

People often ask me where you can find ERB / WPPSI III practice tests. Two companies sell them, Aristotle Circle and Bright Kids.  The next natural question: Which ERB workbook to get? Aristotle Circle's costs $200 more, but is a little longer and more brightly colored.  Families I have worked with have used both Bright … Continue reading ERB / WPPSI III Practice Tests? Bright Kids or Aristotle Circle ERB Workbook?

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Children's Books, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Kindergarten, Learn to Read, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, NYC Public Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Public Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Special Needs Manhattan, Special Needs NYC

Private School Kindergarten Interviews: Books and Crayons to Help Your Preschooler Develop His Fine Motor Skills (Handwriting)

At the student interview, private schools typically ask preschoolers applying to kindergarten and prekindergarten to draw pictures and write their names.  Many parents, seeking to ensure that their children's fine motor skills make the cut, seek out books and tools that help develop handwriting and drawing skills.  Here are some that we recommend to our … Continue reading Private School Kindergarten Interviews: Books and Crayons to Help Your Preschooler Develop His Fine Motor Skills (Handwriting)