abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, ERB Prep, ERBs, Learn to Read, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, 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

More on When Should My Child Start Kindergarten

Thanks to Jessica Kelmon of GreatSchools for her excellent article, When should kids start kindergarten?  Kelmon writes: Yet another part of the equation with today’s high-stakes testing is that we expect more of kindergartners. Unfortunately, they’re less prepared for success. "Kindergarten is much more academic than ever," says Emily Glickman, a Manhattan-based educational consultant. "Many people feel that kindergarten is … Continue reading More on When Should My Child Start Kindergarten

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private 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, Westchester Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

Again, Not Enough Room in Some NYC Public School Zoned Kindergartens

Do you pay your city taxes? Do you think your children are entitled to decent schooling in your own neighborhood? Well, forget it. If you live in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens, for another year, overcrowding is leading to waitlists at some renowned local public kindergartens.  The New York Times's Fernanda Santos tells the story:  In Packed … Continue reading Again, Not Enough Room in Some NYC Public School Zoned Kindergartens

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Learn to Read, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Reading, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Westchester Private Schools

Kindergarten ERB / WPPSI IV Test Prep Kit Nonverbal Section: Best ERB Toys and Books

Parents tend to worry about the non-verbal section of the ERB / WPPSI test used in NYC private school kindergarten admission. "No question Joe is verbal.  But non-verbal? What is that ERB section anyway?" The ERB / WPPSI IV non-verbal section tests children's short term memory, processing speed and accuracy, and reasoning skills.  In April … Continue reading Kindergarten ERB / WPPSI IV Test Prep Kit Nonverbal Section: Best ERB Toys and Books

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, ERB Prep, ERBs, Kindergarten, Learn to Read, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Reading, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Westchester Private Schools

NYC Kindergarten Private School Interview: Does My Child Need Playgroup Assessment or Coaching?

A client asked me today if her four-year-old needs kindergarten interview/playgroup assessment and coaching, a service offered by a test prep company. No!!! Speaking as an educational consultant who makes her living helping families succeed in and manage the stressful private school admissions process, I try to make my clients' lives easier, not harder.  Kindergarten … Continue reading NYC Kindergarten Private School Interview: Does My Child Need Playgroup Assessment or Coaching?

abacusmom Admissions, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Kindergarten, Learn to Read, Parenting, Private Schools

Best Educational Strategy Games for Preschool and Kindergarten-Aged Kids

Parents often ask me for educational strategy games appropriate for preschoolers and kindergarteners.  Here are some of my clients' children's favorites.  I hope your child, or your friend's child, enjoys them. Orchard Gobblet No Stress Chess Blokus Apples to Apples Junior and for a great educational word game (a simple Scrabble), kids love Bananagrams  

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, 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)

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Learn to Read, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Westchester Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

Help with Private School Interviews: Why Private School Interview Prep Matters

Here at Abacus Guide Educational Consulting, we help families in NYC and around the world prepare for private school interviews.  Whether it's a nervous parent or an inexperienced incoming middle or high schooler, we'll help you know what's asked and help you perform your very best at private school interviews.  You won't make costly mistakes … Continue reading Help with Private School Interviews: Why Private School Interview Prep Matters