abacusmom Admissions, Books, Children's Classes, Kindergarten, NYC Public Schools, Public Schools

Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA) Test Prep Book Now Available on Amazon

Today test prep company Aristotle Circle released its new Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA) test prep workbook on Amazon.  A lot of folks have been seeking help with the Bracken since it is one of the tests the Department of Education (DoE) currently uses to assess giftedness.  To order your copy, Aristotle Circle Bracken School … Continue reading Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA) Test Prep Book Now Available on Amazon

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Children's Books, Children's Classes, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools

NYC Kindergarten and ERB: Bestselling ERB Test Prep and NYC Private Schools Admissions Books

To help you assemble your library, here are the books that parents applying to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Riverdale private schools are buying now: ERB Test Prep Workbooks and Guides: Aristotle Circle ERB Test Prep Workbook Bright Kids ERB Test Prep Workbook Private Schools Guidebooks: Manhattan Family Guide to Private Schools and Selective Public Schools Manhattan … Continue reading NYC Kindergarten and ERB: Bestselling ERB Test Prep and NYC Private Schools Admissions Books

abacusmom Books, Children's Books, Children's Classes, Parenting

City Kid New York: Great Guide for NYC Parents

I just picked up Alison Lowenstein's new guidebook, City Kid New York.  Unlike many other New York City guidebooks I've read, which are outdated and limited, Lowenstein includes up-to-the-minute, comprehensive listings of parenting websites, enrichment activities, camps, theater and concert performances, museums, and lice checkers, among other vital parenting subjects.  One very interesting and unique section … Continue reading City Kid New York: Great Guide for NYC Parents

abacusmom Books, Children's Classes, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Manhattan Private Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

Does Your Four Year Old Need a Professional ERB Prep Tutor?

No. Any mother, father, or bright, interested babysitter is qualified to handle preschool level material, thank you. Here's an email I just received from a 2009 Abacus Guide Preschoolers' Prep Program client (details obscured to protect client's confidentiality): Hi Emily, Just wanted to provide you with an update.  <Child's Name> got <top ERB score>.  Your … Continue reading Does Your Four Year Old Need a Professional ERB Prep Tutor?

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 Children's Classes, Learn to Read, Parenting, Reading

Do You Worry about Summer Learning Loss?

WNYC's Brian Lehrer Show explored today if over the summer, kids are at risk of losing two months’ worth of learning.  YMCA Summer Learning Center’s Marty Forth and CUNY professor of education Ken Gold were guests. One very interesting point the program raised is that kids do learn important skills over breaks: socializing, choice-making, taking initiative, and following … Continue reading Do You Worry about Summer Learning Loss?

abacusmom Children's Classes, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting

Best NYC Art History Class for Kids: Unsurprisingly, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

In the city this summer?  Looking for something to do over the weekend? Check out the Metropolitan Museum of Arts' drop-in kids classes, fun for kids as young as four, and free with admission.  The classes are run by knowledgeable, enthusiastic teachers who do an excellent job getting kids excited about art and sometimes, music.  … Continue reading Best NYC Art History Class for Kids: Unsurprisingly, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

abacusmom Children's Classes, Kindergarten, Learn to Read, Parenting, Reading

Resources for Helping Young Children Learn to Read

Want to help your child learn to read? I talked to Irene Daria, reading teacher extraordinaire and owner of the excellent blog http://www.goodcityliving.com recently, and she gave me some excellent tips: 1) The Explode the Code workbook series. These phonics-based workbooks are fun to work through, and will greatly improve your child's abilities to sound … Continue reading Resources for Helping Young Children Learn to Read