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

Kindergarten ERB Test Preparation: ERB Test Prep Flood Continues: Workbooks, Books, Toys Galore

Some years ago almost nobody prepped for the ERB (WPPSI), the private school kindergarten admissions test. Then some savvy moms started picking up a few educational workbooks and toys like Mighty Mind , Block Buddies and  BrainQuest. It was still pretty touch and go. Not anymore. Everything changed in 2009.  Two companies--Bright Kids and Aristotle Circle published ERB prep workbooks, essentially giving parents access … Continue reading Kindergarten ERB Test Preparation: ERB Test Prep Flood Continues: Workbooks, Books, Toys Galore

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: More on ERB Prep: Should You Do It and How?

People keep calling and asking me how they should prep their children for the kindergarten ERB test. There are different ways to skin this cat. All we know right now is that the private schools are upset about all the WPPSI prepping, and while supposedly they will discriminate against a child who has prepared, at … Continue reading ERB: More on ERB Prep: Should You Do It and How?

abacusmom Admissions, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

New York Magazine Cover Story: The Myth of the Gifted Child

Thanks to Jennifer Senior of New York Magazine, for a penetrating, insightful, original look at testing and test prep for the preschool set.  The article's key points: the ERB, Stanford-Binet, and OLSAT don't do a good job predicting intelligence, and the children of wealthy, educated, savvy parents benefit most from all the preparation options now available. … Continue reading New York Magazine Cover Story: The Myth of the Gifted Child

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

Confidential Source Indicates Private School Directors of Admissions “Pissed”

Unsurprisingly, a confidential source in-the-know tells me that private school directors of admissions are indeed "pissed" by the two New York Times articles this fall disclosing all the ERB prepping going on for kindergarten.  Chances are, private schools will place less emphasis than usual on ERB scores and more on child interview performance. I have … Continue reading Confidential Source Indicates Private School Directors of Admissions “Pissed”

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

Thoughts on New York Times’ “Tips for the Admissions Test to Kindergarten”

Today Sharon Otterman of The New York Times brings to light what's happening behind parents' closed doors:  Tips for the Admissions Test ... to Kindergarten  As I've discussed before, test prep for four year olds is rampant.  Otterman profiles a new test prep company that focuses on both gifted and talented public and private school admission … Continue reading Thoughts on New York Times’ “Tips for the Admissions Test to Kindergarten”

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 Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Children's Books, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, NYC Public Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

Urban Myth #1: ERB Test Includes Mazes

Sometimes, someone will call me and say something along the lines of,  "Junior rocks mazes!  I got him a maze workbook and he gets it!  He's set for the ERB!" However, sadly for these individuals, mazes aren't on the ERB for kindergarten.  Mazes used to be, but no longer.  They've been off the ERB for … Continue reading Urban Myth #1: ERB Test Includes Mazes

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Special Needs NYC, Speech Therapy NYC, SSAT Prep, Westchester Private Schools

Psychology Today Discusses ERB (WPPSI) Testing

Thanks to Sonya Sobiesky of Psychology Today for quoting me in her insightful article on preschool aptitude and ERB (WPPSI) testing, Baby Steps to Harvard. Sobiesky writes: But how accurate is IQ testing for toddlers? The commonly used Wechsler Intelligence Scale evaluates verbal ability based on vocabulary size and clarity of speech. “If a speech therapist can help … Continue reading Psychology Today Discusses ERB (WPPSI) Testing

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 Admissions, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Kindergarten, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

Best ERB Prep Toys?

These are the best-known and most popular kindergarten ERB prep toys: Mighty Mind BrainQuest Cards Parents always ask me: are they any good? Or, do these prep toys provide productive test prep? While I have more effective toys in my clients' ERB prep arsenal, I do give both these toys a thumbs up if you … Continue reading Best ERB Prep Toys?