Blog home

How to Help Your Child Prepare for Testing

November 12th, 2018

Whether it’s because they feel hopeless or overly confident, it can often be difficult for children to feel motivated to study for a big exam. Test prep, however, can not only be a surefire way to perform better on exams, but also to learn classroom material in a personal setting. Here are some tips on […]

READ MORE
Introducing GoGoBrain!

October 23rd, 2018

Is your child developing the skills needed for success? If your child thrives on challenges, thrives on being proactive in the classroom and is ever ready to tackle each new test, then you have a super student. Maybe your child is brushing up on some of these skills or is struggling to get there, at […]

READ MORE
Help Your Child With Test Anxiety

October 11th, 2018

Does your child struggle with test anxiety? With adrenaline flowing, sweaty palms, shallow breathing and a flutter in his stomach–this feeling can actually be turned into a springboard for your child’s improved performance! Using these tips for success, you can recognize the problem and help him to push through, overcoming this obstacle with tools that […]

READ MORE
How to Ensure Better Sleep Quality for Every Member of Your Family

October 2nd, 2018

What are the nocturnal habits of your family members like? Do you lounge on social media during the wee hours of the night? Are your kids setting their own schedule, then struggling with awakening and preparing for school each morning? Does your partner settle onto the sofa for late night sports and news programs, then […]

READ MORE
CogAT Practice: Everyday Activities to Help with the Verbal Subtest

September 27th, 2018

You can practice for the CogAT® by putting a little bit of extra effort into some everyday activities. This week and next week I will give a few activities that will help with the verbal portion of the test. A Brief CogAT Overview The CogAT Test, which is divided into three subtests, is designed to […]

READ MORE
Every Day Activities that Help With the CogAT: Quantitative Battery Part 2

September 21st, 2018

Last week, we discussed what was on the CogAT Quantitative Battery and a few different activities that you can do to practice for it using things you likely already have around your house. This week, we will discuss two more activities you can do to help prepare for this section of the test. Quick Refresher […]

READ MORE
Every Day Activities that Help With the CogAT: Quantitative Battery

September 13th, 2018

These everyday activities can help your child prepare for the CogAT subtest: quantitative battery. The goal is to ensure that your child feels comfortable in identifying critical relationships between numbers. Like any language, mathematics can often appear foreign or intimidating. It comes with its own distinct vocabulary, jargon, and question structure. Fortunately, once this mathematical […]

READ MORE
What to Expect With Your Child’s First IQ Test – Part Two

September 7th, 2018

A Child’s Perspective Parents are always asking me what these “intelligence tests” really involve and what happens behind those closed doors.  And, I always like to share the little story I learned from a parent whose son failed miserably on the kindergarten admissions test.  Why do I share this particular story, you wonder?  Well, it’s […]

READ MORE
What to Expect With Your Child’s First IQ Test – Part One

August 31st, 2018

If your young child is being given an IQ or intelligence test to qualify for a TAG, gifted and talented, GATE program or private school entry, parents want to know what they can do to help their child do his best. Here is some guidance on what you can expect, and what you can do […]

READ MORE
Back to School, Back to Testing

August 17th, 2018

Our kids start back to school really soon (some of you have already started!), and it brings to mind a couple of yearly concerns for me–can we stay on top of our schedule this year and find a good stride and are my kids ready for testing that will most certainly happen? For the first […]

READ MORE
Back to School Checklist from A to Z

August 8th, 2018

Back to School Checklist Time for back to school is just around the corner, so we want to help you prepare with our back to school checklist!  The summer is just speeding by, isn’t it? Many parents feel overwhelmed at the prospect of getting ready for another school year. To help you remember what’s important […]

READ MORE
10 Attitudes that will Ruin Your Child’s Love of Learning

July 26th, 2018

No parent would ever want to ruin their child’s love of learning.  But it can happen so easily!  So take warning. These ten attitudes will impact not only your home environment, but also your child’s love of learning. For a thriving growth-place, be careful to not make these mistakes. 1. Force Feeding Remember those late […]

READ MORE
What Educators Know and Parents Don’t About Kindergarten Testing

July 5th, 2018

Most children in America will have been given some kind of intelligence test by the time they are five years old. Tests are usually for private school admissions, gifted and talented qualification, or public school placement in slow, average, and accelerated learning groups. Generally, these tests cover seven abilities that educators believe children must have […]

READ MORE
Asynchrony in Gifted Children

June 28th, 2018

These days, there is no one definition for giftedness. The traditional way to assess giftedness has been through high scores on an IQ test such as the Stanford-Binet, WPPSI, or WISC. For example, here are the IQ ranges (including giftedness) on the Stanford-Binet: IQ Range Classification Significantly Below Average Below 70 Below Average 70 – […]

READ MORE
Teach Your Teen Driver Basic Infant Car Seat Safety Tips

June 18th, 2018

Many parents are thrilled when their teenagers get their driver’s license. An extra driver in the household can help run errands, drive siblings to after-school activities and even pick up or drop off the baby at daycare. However, before teen drivers transport an infant, there are some basics of newborn car seat safety they should […]

READ MORE
Summertime Shift

June 18th, 2018

Summertime is a great time to shift your thinking in parenting!  Today, Archana Gupta shares a few parenting tips that have helped her grow as a parent. Practical Parent Points to Shift Your Mindset In today’s hectic, day-to-day life, parents are busy juggling between work and family responsibilities. On one hand parents are trying to […]

READ MORE
Preparing For A Baby When You’re Living With A Disability

June 6th, 2018

Today, we welcome Jenny Wise, who is sharing her life-lessons and preparations that come with parenting with a disability. Photo via Pixabay by RitaE All new parents have moments that are stressful, and preparing for the baby is often one of the most anxiety-filled parts of becoming a mom or dad. It’s important to make […]

READ MORE
Make your Recycling Bin a Creative Learning Lab

May 24th, 2018

We are welcoming guest author, Kristin Van de Water, a mom from NYC who is always looking for ways to engage her child in learning! Today she is sharing about turning your recycling bin into creative learning! Get Creative! Kids make sense of their world through creative play. Provide the right tools, time, and space, and […]

READ MORE
Debunking the Myths about Gifted Students Part 4

May 10th, 2018

Myth: Gifted Students are Happy, Popular and Well-Adjusted in School. Many gifted students flourish in their community and school environment.  However, some gifted children differ in terms of their emotional and moral intensity, sensitivity to expectations and feelings, perfectionism, and deep concerns about societal problems. Others do not share interests with their classmates, resulting in […]

READ MORE
Debunking the Myths about Gifted Students Part 3

April 24th, 2018

What do you do when your child is judged unfairly, isn’t being challenged or isn’t trying anymore? Well, if you are like me, you get your act together and figure out how to help your child! Giftedness opens up new challenges for sure. That is why we want to take time in this series to […]

READ MORE
Debunking the Myths about Gifted Students Part 2

March 22nd, 2018

The target lines are blurred when you don’t know what to believe. So you cannot attain anything, because you do not know where to aim. It’s the same way in giftedness. Rightly defining and knowing what it means and what your child needs will be the make it or break it moment. Your child needs […]

READ MORE
Debunking the Myths about Gifted Students

March 16th, 2018

We’re beginning a new series today addressing myths about gifted students.  There are so many to consider!  So let’s shift our lens regarding giftedness and gifted students to the appropriate place, so that we may set them up for success. Debunking the Myths about Gifted Students First Myth: Gifted students will do fine on their […]

READ MORE
2018 Gifted Thinking Success File: Identifying Your Best Learning Styles

March 5th, 2018

We have shared the many factors that contribute to your success file–choices you make, memory building, listening well, staying motivated, goal-setting and effective reading.  Today we conclude with identifying your best learning styles, so you have a reference guide for the year.  Becoming a masterful and gifted-thinking student is within your child’s reach! Identifying your […]

READ MORE
2018 Gifted Thinking Success File: Seven Habits of Highly Effective Readers

February 26th, 2018

As I was combing through some of my favorite articles, I felt like our Gifted Thinking Success File would come up short, if we failed to mention the importance of reading.  This article from Brazosport College on the seven habits of highly effective readers succinctly covers all the bases.  I think you will be greatly […]

READ MORE
2018 Gifted Thinking Success File: Memory and Learning Styles

February 21st, 2018

To hone in your mastery of mental growth, it is important to be in tune with your memory and learning styles. Retention is part of working the muscle memory in your brain and is vital to growing strong as a student. Knowing your learning style is a vital piece of the gifted thinker’s success file.  […]

READ MORE
2018 Gifted Thinking Success File: Motivation and Goal Setting

February 14th, 2018

Masterful and gifted-thinking students stay motivated and set goals. Both of these require intention and planning, so today let’s talk about some great strategies for implementing motivation and goal setting into your child’s repertoire. Visualize Success Motivation You are your own best motivator. Your motivation must come from within yourself. Others may try to encourage […]

READ MORE
Tips and Tricks to Motivate Your Child to Learn

February 12th, 2018

Welcome guest author, Max Panych, the community and content manager at USA Test Prep, who is sharing from his wealth of wisdom on the important topic of motivating your child to learn. Sometimes the hardest part about parenting is balancing education and life experience. We don’t want our children to miss out on family events or […]

READ MORE
2018 Gifted Thinking Success File: Student Choices that Make the Grade

February 5th, 2018

When it comes to being a masterful and gifted-thinking student, there are many factors that contribute to your success file–learning styles, choices you make, memory building, listening well, staying motivated, goal-setting and effective reading.  We will spend the next few blog posts targeting these skills, so you have a reference guide for the year.  These […]

READ MORE
A New Kind of TLC to Help Your Child Thrive

January 24th, 2018

Welcome guest author, Abbie Morris, a Canadian mom with some excellent tips to help your child thrive in academics and everywhere else! When it comes to your child’s academics, is it time for a new mind set or simply a new approach? Help Your Child Thrive Most of us know that every child needs a little […]

READ MORE
Motivation that Works for Your Child

January 22nd, 2018

Welcome guest author, Archana Gupta, a mom from India and now living in Pennsylvania.  Today Archana shares some great ideas for motivating your child! Motivation can be positive or negative depending on the situation, as one size doesn’t always fit all. For this reason, schools have included a system of reward, as well as consequences, to […]

READ MORE
On Education from the Uneducated

January 17th, 2018

Welcome guest author, Linjen Neogi, an NYC mom, who loves writing. Today Linjen shares her heart and experience in education,as she seeks to trailblaze a path for her son to become an innovator and thoughtful citizen–always being curious and growing in that. Four years ago, I sat down to have dinner with my husband and […]

READ MORE
How to Raise a Child Who Loves to Read

January 15th, 2018

Today we welcome guest author, Katie Haney, a St. Louis mom, who shares her love of reading with her children…and with us.  You’ll love these great tips from Katie, so you can ensure your child loves to read, too! A popular saying is “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”  The same phrase […]

READ MORE
Can My Child Be in Special Education AND Be Gifted?

January 9th, 2018

Today we welcome guest author, Lisa Klemme-Flack, MSW, a mom from the northwest , who shares her story and the wisdom she gleaned from walking this road with her gifted child in special education. You may be wondering, if your child can receive both special education services and be in a gifted program? The answer is […]

READ MORE
Tips and Tricks to Motivate Your Child to Learn

January 3rd, 2018

Today we are welcoming guest author, Imelba, who is an NYC parent sharing what works for her in motivating her children. I am a mother of two lovely children, Victoria is 3 years old, and Noah is 5 years old.  It is not easy keeping them engaged when it comes to learning and homework.  What […]

READ MORE
Traveling with Numbers

January 2nd, 2018

Today we are welcoming guest author, Charlotte LaRocca , a NYC parent and statistician, who loves to share her dual passion with her children–numbers and travel! Having my sons has provided me with endless new opportunities, both expected and unexpected. One of the most enjoyable has been sharing my dual passions for travel and for […]

READ MORE
Neelesh’s Journey to GT

December 28th, 2017

Today we are welcoming guest author, Divya Chevuri, a GT parent with a passion for cooking and sharing the flavors of India, who is sharing about her son’s gifted and talented journey. My son Neelesh was completing second grade at Victor Elementary School in Torrance, California. During the month of October, I received a notice […]

READ MORE
GATE Magnet Point System

December 20th, 2017

We continued our LAUSD series yesterday with Sonia Reiter, our TestingMom parent expert, who helped us prepare our children for GATE testing. Today she will finish up our series by giving you insight into the GATE magnet point system, as well as a strategy you can follow to give your child the best chance to get […]

READ MORE
How to Prepare for LAUSD GATE Testing

December 19th, 2017

Yesterday, we continued our LAUSD series with Sonia Reiter, our TestingMom parent expert. Sonia has been sharing her experience with applying for, testing and qualifying for the LAUSD Gate Program, as well as delineating the difference between SAS and GATE designations. Today Sonia will help your child prepare for LAUSD GATE testing. Benefits of GATE […]

READ MORE
What’s the Difference Between SAS and GATE Designations?

December 18th, 2017

Last week, we welcomed Sonia Reiter, our TestingMom parent expert, to share her experience with applying for, testing and qualifying for the LAUSD Gate Program. Today Sonia continues her story by discussing the difference between SAS and GATE designations. SAS vs. GATE Designation There is a very important distinction between SAS (school for advanced studies) […]

READ MORE
Top Testing Mom Picks for Educational Toys and Games for the 2017 Holiday Season

December 14th, 2017

This holiday season, be smart about the toys and games you choose for your kids by going for gifts that make them smarter. They never need to know that the games they are playing are good for them, but you’ll know and that’s the important part! Buying any of these educational toys for your kids is […]

READ MORE
Qualifying for the LAUSD GATE Program

December 14th, 2017

Earlier this week, we welcomed Sonia Reiter, our TestingMom parent expert, to share her experience with both applying for and testing in the LAUSD Gate Program. Today Sonia continues her story by discussing qualifying for the LAUSD GATE Program. Standardized GATE Testing Exceptional children who may qualify for the Highly Gifted Magnet program may be […]

READ MORE
How Can My Child Apply for the LAUSD GATE Program?

December 13th, 2017

For this new five-part series, we welcome Testing Mom parent-expert, Sonia Reiter, who is sharing her personal story of both applying and testing in the LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District) school for advanced studies. Parents, who are interested in readying their child to apply to the LAUSD SAS (school for advanced studies) or GATE programs […]

READ MORE
The Language Choices We Make

December 6th, 2017

Today we are welcoming guest author, Monica Bhattacharya, a third grade parent in Manhattan, who is sharing a valuable word on the words we choose. What Language Choices Do You Make? A. “Hey, line up now.” Quit fooling around or else you’ll miss recess!” B. “Stop running. I’ve told you three times already. No tablet […]

READ MORE
How To Teach Your Kids to Code: Resources for Parents

December 5th, 2017

Today we are welcoming guest author, Nupur Biswal, a parent and software developer, who shares some great tips for parents who want to teach kids to code. Programming is a creative activity that any kid can engage in. Your child might not care about writing data processing algorithms, but they might enjoy creating games, programming […]

READ MORE
R.I.P. Shari Nedler – My Mom, “The Testing Grandma”

December 4th, 2017

Dear Parents, Three weeks ago, my mom, Shari Nedler, died at age 88. I am heartbroken to lose her. She was my mom, my best friend, and my most trusted advisor on everything in life. Many of you knew her. We called her “The Testing Grandma.” She used to love to come to our live […]

READ MORE
5 Ways You Can Help Your Children Succeed at School

November 29th, 2017

Your child’s education is important to you – that goes without saying. But do you ever wonder if there is anything you can do to help them? If you have, here are some simple tips to help them to get the most from their education. Help Your Children Succeed at School Meet Their Teacher Your […]

READ MORE
Nature vs. Nurture

November 21st, 2017

Today we are welcoming guest author, Susan McCoy, an East coast mom, who asks an important question. When should parents push and when should they let their children have free will? I am faced with this dilemma on a daily basis: Is it better to push my children into things, or to let them be to […]

READ MORE
My Gifted Child Held Back

November 21st, 2017

Today we are welcoming guest author, Arsenia Tate, a midwestern mom, who by experience gleaned valuable insight to share with all parents! My gifted child held back…yep, you read that right. Gifted…Held back… This is my story of what I consider parenting gone wrong. During the summer of 2016 (about 3 weeks before school started) my […]

READ MORE
Kids + Grocery Shopping = Engaged Minds

November 17th, 2017

Today we are welcoming guest author, Kristin Van de Water, a mom from NYC who, like you, is always looking for ways to engage her child in learning! Kids are natural scientists, constantly exploring the world. One of the greatest gifts a parent can give these budding brains is the vocabulary they need to make sense […]

READ MORE
The Importance of Parent Engagement in a Child’s Education – Part 2

November 9th, 2017

Last week, we talked about how important it is to be involved with your child when it comes to his or her education, but many parents wonder, what does parent engagement mean?  How can I be most effective when it comes to involvement in my child’s education? What Does Parent Engagement in Your Child’s Education […]

READ MORE
The Importance of Parent Engagement in a Child’s Education – Part 1

November 6th, 2017

Children spend 70% of their waking hours (including weekends and holidays) outside of school.  As hard as teachers and schools try, you cannot depend on them to give your child all they need when it comes to education.  The research for parent engagement is consistent, positive and convincing – The more involved a parent (or […]

READ MORE
Brain Food for Kids: Carbohydrates

October 26th, 2017

Your child should eat plenty of healthy carbohydrates for optimal brain function. When it comes to eating healthy nowadays, sometimes we dismiss all carbohydrates as being bad for you.  But that is not true.  Actually eating carbs from whole foods, like fruits, vegetables and legumes, provide high-quality fuel for your child’s brain function. While not an […]

READ MORE
Brain Food for Kids: Healthy Fats

October 26th, 2017

Healthy Fats = Brain Food This week I want to dive into the topic of nutrition, and how fueling our bodies with the right foods can meaningfully affect cognitive abilities! While we know that consistent test preparation is crucial, factors such as focus, motivation, and mental alertness may fizzle if we are running on empty. […]

READ MORE
More Everyday Activities that Can Help With the ITBS Subtests – Part 2

October 17th, 2017

More Everyday Activities that Can Help With the ITBS Subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Vocabulary, and Humanities Sections As we discussed earlier, the content areas covered correspond to the students designated grade level. Students who are in Kindergarten Through 3rd grade (levels 5-8) are exposed to: Vocabulary Word Analysis Reading Comprehension Listening Language For children in 3rd […]

READ MORE
Everyday Activities that Can Help With the ITBS Subtests – Part 1

October 13th, 2017

Everyday Activities that Can Help With the ITBS Subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Vocabulary, and Humanities Sections The ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) is an achievement test administered to students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Schools offer this test as a means of examining students academic performance. They assess this measure of ability based upon the […]

READ MORE
Cooking with Your Kids: How Cooking Together Can Increase Your Child’s Math Skills

October 8th, 2017

Let’s Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Together! Today on the blog we will be delving into the exciting world of cooking and numbers. Baking and/or cooking is a cognitively engaging activity that combines tactile exploration with literacy and quantitative learning. Spending just a little time in the kitchen each week can be an excellent tool […]

READ MORE
CogAT Practice: Everyday Activities to Help with the Verbal Subtest Part 2

September 14th, 2017

Today’s post is a continuation of last week’s — CogAT Practice: Everyday Activities to Help with the Verbal Subtest. Today we’ll be going over a few more tips for practicing for the CogAT Verbal Subtest. using every day activities. For a refresher on what the CogAT entails, check out our CogAT Overview Page More Everyday […]

READ MORE
Everyday Activities that Help with the WPPSI™ IV Subtests: Nonverbal

August 30th, 2017

This post is a continuation of our series on every day activities for WPPSI IV Subtests. Last week, we discussed practicing for the WPPSI IV Verbal Subtests Today I want to focus on everyday activities that can help your child with the WPPSI IV Nonverbal subtests. These questions do not require verbal responses, and are […]

READ MORE
Everyday Activities that Help with the WPPSI™ IV Subtests: Verbal Section

August 23rd, 2017

The WPPSI™ IV Test is broken into subtests, which help to easily identify what your child knows and understands, as well areas that could use improvement. As your child progresses through each subtest, the questions will gradually get more difficult; when your child misses a certain amount of questions in a row, the examiner will then move […]

READ MORE
Top Mistakes Made on the WISC

August 16th, 2017

You know the day is coming.  Your child is going to take the WISC V test and you know it will impact your child’s experience and placement in school. And of course you want the best for your child! So set your child up to perform at his very best level by avoiding these common […]

READ MORE
IQ Testing: Stanford Binet Intelligence Scales

July 25th, 2017

When it comes to measuring a person’s intelligence, tests like Stanford Binet Intelligence Scales are used to determine an intellectual assessment or intelligence quotient (IQ) for young children, adolescents, and  even young adults.  But does this kind of test really measure up and give a fair assessment? Today, we’ll look at what makes up the test, some […]

READ MORE
Summer Camp: Day Camp

July 19th, 2017

Day Camp is the BEST for younger children! As we discussed last week in my interview with Jill Tipograph from Everything Summer, it is important that your child develops through social and creative play outside of the classroom.  Camp is a fabulous place for your child to learn and grow this way, building skills for life! […]

READ MORE
Summer Camp: Sleep-Away Camp

June 27th, 2017

Today we are finishing up my interview with Jill Tipograph from Everything Summer and talking about sleep away camp. Sleep Away Camp Karen: Jill, I want to get to sleep away camps because if you have an older child, parents are starting to think about maybe it’s time to send my child to sleep away camp. At […]

READ MORE
Summer Camp: Spreading Their Wings

May 20th, 2017

Summer Camp As parents we spend so much time worrying about our children’s academic abilities, but some of the most important skills kids learn are acquired in a camp or a summer program. Now I went to Camp Arrowhead, as a child, and I loved it so much. When my parents could no longer afford […]

READ MORE
Being Intentional to Avoid Summer Slide

May 11th, 2017

To Avoid Summer Slide You Have to Be Intentional Research for the past 100 years has shown us that students, not engaged in some kind of educational activity over the summer, typically lose about 1-3 months of learning.  This can be mainly seen as more detrimental for math than it is for reading. Studies also show that income can […]

READ MORE
Testing Mom announces partnership with FasTracKids!

April 22nd, 2017

New partnership expands reach to parents and students online and offline We’re pleased to announce our official partnership with FasTracKids locations in the New York City area! As a result of our growth, we wanted to reach even more families with our partnership with the FasTracKids in New York City. Our test prep content for […]

READ MORE
Curriculum for Gifted and Talented

March 8th, 2017

What is the Curriculum for Gifted and Talented Programs We recently hosted a live event in New York City and I opened up the room for questions. The parents asked some great questions both about gifted and talented programs and whether it’s really worth it to go into a gifted and talented program.  They asked questions […]

READ MORE
Challenging Your Gifted Student

February 15th, 2017

Why should you be challenging your gifted student? Recently, at a live event in New York City, I (Karen Quinn, the Testing Mom) asked the NYC parents to write down all the questions they had. I thought they asked some great questions both about gifted and talented programs and whether it’s really worth it to go […]

READ MORE
Caz’s Family Adventure: Education on the Road

February 6th, 2017

Education on the Road One of our friends, readers and customers is sharing her family’s amazing adventure of education on the road with us today.  Her family travels all over the globe, so she and her husband have made it an extra special way to educate their two daughters. I had the privilege of interviewing […]

READ MORE
My Vacation with the Testing Grandma!

January 24th, 2017

Panama Canal and Analogies I’m on vacation right now, on a ship that’s going through the Panama Canal today.  And this got me thinking about analogies.  Why analogies?  These are on almost every test young children take, whether it is an intelligence test like the CogAT, OLSAT, or NNAT, or achievement tests like the Common […]

READ MORE
A Perfect Breakfast Menu for Tests (with Free Printable!): Week Two

December 12th, 2016

Perfect Breakfast Menu for Tests: Week Two As gifted and talented testing weeks roll around, I know it can bring with it added stress for your child and family.  So we want to alleviate that stress a bit by providing a breakfast menu that you can trust to give your child energy and focus for his […]

READ MORE
A Perfect Breakfast Menu for Tests (with Free Printable!): Week One

December 12th, 2016

A Perfect Breakfast Menu for Tests – Week One When the test weeks roll around every year, we can make a couple of steps to make the process easier and lighter for our children: providing healthy breakfasts and planning the menu in advance to save time. You can get them out the door on time to school […]

READ MORE
Get Educated: New Screen Time Guidelines for Kids

December 5th, 2016

What are the Best Screen Time Guidelines for Kids? Digital media is everywhere these days from your phone to TV displays at the mall, and most adults have at least one computer, laptop or tablet for personal use at home. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new healthy screen-time guidelines published in the […]

READ MORE
How to Keep Kids Active Indoors

December 1st, 2016

How Do We Keep Kids Active Indoors? The American Heart Association recommends that kids get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day, and not just to wear them out before a nap or bedtime: regular exercise increases a child’s self-confidence, physical coordination, self-esteem and psychological well-being. However, busy parents with […]

READ MORE
Ask an Expert: Test Prep Tips for Four Year Olds

November 16th, 2016

If you’ve got a 4-year-old who’ll be testing for the first time this school year, you may have no idea what to expect. Luckily, we’ve got expert insights on how testing works for Pre-K students from TestingMom.com co-founder/NYC gifted testing expert, Michael McCurdy, and Dr. Kim Har, psychologist and former director of childhood education at […]

READ MORE
Talk to Your Child More and Who Knows…Harvard?

November 14th, 2016

That Crazy and Annoying Parent The year Schuyler was born, a woman in my apartment building had a son named Aaron. This woman was crazy, in my opinion. We’ll call her Sandy because that was her name and I don’t live in the building anymore anyway. Sandy used to have a loud, one-sided running dialog with […]

READ MORE
Patience Pays: 10 Ways to Grow a Smarter, More Patient Child

November 10th, 2016

The Marshmallow Test In the 1960’s, Stanford Professor Walter Mischel offered 4-year-olds a choice.  They could have a marshmallow right away or if they waited while he stepped out for a few minutes, they could have two marshmallows when he returned.  High delayers resisted the treat for fifteen minutes, while low delayers waited only an […]

READ MORE
7 Easy Ways to Boost Your Child’s IQ

November 8th, 2016

Boost Your Child’s IQ By age 5, most children in America will have been given some kind of intelligence test, whether it is for private school admissions, gifted and talented qualification, or public school placement in slow, average or accelerated learning groups. IQ tests cover the 7-abilities children need to thrive in the classroom: language, […]

READ MORE
Feed Your Child’s Brain: Best Foods for Thinking

November 2nd, 2016

Best Foods for Thinking Earlier this week, I talked about all the candy and sugar that this holiday (and many others) bring to the forefront for your child.  It’s definitely not the best input in large quantities for your child’s thinking brain. We don’t recommend that you eliminate it, but give sugary treats a right place […]

READ MORE
Sugar: Effects on Your Child’s Brain

October 31st, 2016

Sugar Effects It’s Halloween, which means today our children are going to be overloaded with enough candy to feed 100 of their closest friends. And it’s all in fun, I know.  But it got me to thinking today about how sugar affects a child’s brain. So I’ve been doing a little research. If your child […]

READ MORE
What do you think: Do Kids Need Homework?

October 26th, 2016

What do you think? Do Kids Need Homework? Really, do kids need homework? A second-grade teacher’s note about her “no formal homework policy” went viral last month, spurring a national debate online amongst teachers, school administrators and parents. This teacher has one exception: students need to finish assignments which weren’t completed during the school day. What do scientists […]

READ MORE
Tears, Tantrums and Meltdowns, Oh My!

October 17th, 2016

Tears Tantrums and Meltdowns What’s the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown? Tantrums are short-lived and tend to subside if nobody’s paying attention. But if you’re the parent of a child under 5, you’ve dealt with at least one full-blown public meltdown — and today, I’ll help you understand why they happen and how […]

READ MORE
Why Do Kids Ask So Many Questions?

October 12th, 2016

Why DO Kids Ask So Many Questions? A UK survey of 1,000 moms from a couple of years ago showed that preschool-aged girls ask approximately 288 questions per day – and if you’re the parent of an inquisitive preschooler, that’s around one question every two minutes and 36 seconds. You’re probably more exhausted than your child […]

READ MORE
Math is NOT Just for Boys

October 3rd, 2016

Is Math JUST for Boys? According to an academic study* done by University of Washington researchers on 247 children aged 6-10, American kids grow up hearing that “math is for boys” — and that stereotype becomes ingrained in our gender-based identities as early as second grade. Researchers gave participants timed self-concept and word-association tests using a computer. In […]

READ MORE
The Lying Experiment

September 13th, 2016

Did you know there is a connection between high IQs and the ability to lie well? We want to instill in them a desire to be truth tellers, of course.  But it is something you can do and watch for in your highly intelligent children. Read the lying experiment we tried and see if that […]

READ MORE
Turning Everyday Activities into Learning Experiences for Children

August 25th, 2016

Turning Everyday Activities into Learning! Much of what IQ or intelligence tests measure is knowledge gained through life experience, not just nursery school.  From the moment a child is born, his mind soaks up what he sees and hears around him.  If you just listen and talk to your child as you go about your […]

READ MORE
7 Abilities Your Child Needs for Testing Success

August 19th, 2016

As you ready your child for back to school, there will be tests.  This list will help you to both analyze the areas, where your child needs to build skills and abilities, and to see confidently where he or she is currently secure. 7 Abilities Your Child Needs for Testing Success 1. Language: Receptive and Expressive Receptive […]

READ MORE
Teach Your Child to Listen: Part 2

August 11th, 2016

Teach Your Child to Listen We are returning today to my interview with Amy McCready, as she shares gems in parenting to teach your child to listen better.  Here’s Amy with more! Communication Style is Everything The other reason kids tend to fight us with power struggles is in large part due to our communication […]

READ MORE
Get Your Child to Listen: Part One

August 9th, 2016

Get Your Child to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling Is such a thing even possible?  Well I interviewed Amy McCready, author of If I Have to Tell You One More Time, who is sharing with us some valuable tools for our parental toolboxes. Every classroom in the world requires children to listen to what the teacher says and […]

READ MORE
Take Your Child to the Museum

August 4th, 2016

Take Your Child to the Museum! Before school is back in session, a great and educational outing is to take your child to the museum!  Whether it is local or there is a bit of a drive, you can create great memories together, so it is totally worth your effort. Museums are chock-full of great teaching […]

READ MORE
Kindergarten Readiness

August 2nd, 2016

How Important is Kindergarten Readiness? Perhaps you’re wondering if kindergarten readiness is necessary before you let your 5-year old enroll in a class. The truth is it is very important. Time and again, education experts are firm in their stand that kindergarten readiness must be observed especially by parents. Help your child succeed in school […]

READ MORE
Learning at the Zoo

July 28th, 2016

I’m writing to you from our cushy couch where I’m nursing my blistered feet, icing my aching back and trying to remove the cotton candy that mysteriously ended up in my hair.  In case you couldn’t guess, we spent all day at the Bronx Zoo, one of the largest zoos in the country.  I had […]

READ MORE
Reasons Parents Homeschool

July 27th, 2016

Should You Homeschool? It’s that time of year, when you may be considering a change for your child or you just simply want to begin his formal education at home. Here are a few reasons parents homeschool.  Perhaps you are looking at this decision right now! Our Homeschool Survival Guide You can download our complete Homeschool […]

READ MORE
Common Core History Practice Questions

June 29th, 2016

Common Core History While the ELA Common Core test battery keeps its main focus on English language skills, other subjects are tested as well. Common Core history is one of these. Test prep is practically the norm these days; the number of standardized tests being given to students of all ages demands a high level of performance. […]

READ MORE
5 Factors for Life Success not Taught in the Classroom

June 27th, 2016

Non-Intellectual Factors that Drive Success If you have a child who struggles with skills required to succeed in an academic setting, school can be a daunting experience for your child. I used to ask myself, when my daughter struggled so much, “How will Schuyler make it in life if she can’t pass math?” “Will she […]

READ MORE
Are Science Practice Questions Necessary?

June 17th, 2016

Well-Rounded Education Lots of parents wonder if science practice questions are necessary. Since the ELA (English Language Arts) Common Core testing battery places an emphasis on English language skills, many parents are confused when it comes time for test preparation and study. Are practice questions for other tested subjects, including science, history, math and social […]

READ MORE
Preventing Summer Slide

June 14th, 2016

Summer is Here! For most parents, the summer slide is the last thing on their mind when the weather finally turns warmer. The vast majority of parents are more focused on barbecues, vacations, and sleepaway camps than they are on the dangers of letting their kids’ minds take a break over the summer. Summer Slide […]

READ MORE
A Math Block

May 25th, 2016

A Math Block Nothing makes my brain turn off faster than to have to do a math equation or even contemplate one.  If you even mention math in a sentence, my brain will turn your voice into Charlie Brown’s monotone teacher and all I’ll hear is “Whah, whah, whah, whah, whah, whah!” Face It Head […]

READ MORE
Raising a Gifted Child

May 25th, 2016

A Mom Asks Her Son’s Teacher about Online Math Practice… I was speaking to a mom one Friday, and she was struggling (in the best way possible) to keep up with her gifted son–to feed his huge intellectual appetite. She was telling me that he had recently spent the evening doing hundreds of math problems […]

READ MORE
“What are you, stupid?” The Principal Asked My Daughter

May 24th, 2016

When my daughter Schuyler was 4, she took her first IQ test. Her verbal scores were stellar – 99th percentile. Her non-verbal scores were in the toilet – some less than 20th percentile, as I recall. Her average score was good enough to get her into the school we wanted, so I never gave the […]

READ MORE
OK
YES
NO
Need help? - Contact Support