What people are saying about
Testing for Kindergarten

"I wrote a while back asking for advice for looming tests (I had read your book and my mom sent us the IQ Fun Park game), and you responded so quickly with reassurance we were on the right track. So I wanted to let you know our son was offered a spot at Hunter next year and I do believe you should truly share in the congratulations. Without your book, lovely game and accessibility I don't know that I would have been able to relax into this whole process and let him do his thing. Thank you for letting me breathe and have fun with my child through this crazy New York City process."
-
SD, NYC Mom

"I used your book and test prep questions as a guide before my child took the ERB this spring. I would casually ask some of the questions as we walked down the street or sat eating ice cream and she seemed to think our "games" were really fun. Bottom line: ... drum roll, please... she scored a 99. Please please please never repeat that to anyone -- my husband and I certainly have not told anyone our kids' scores on anything -- but I wanted you to know. Thank you!"
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NYC Mom

"We followed your advice in 'Testing For Kindergarten' and did the activities in your daily tips. Testing is over for us now. Our daughter got into Hunter! We can't thank you enough."
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NYC Mom

"Just wanted to thank you again for all the incredible work you've done and how helpful it is. Just got our NYC G&T score: 99th percentile!!! Thank you, thank you thank you. (She's already named, or we would name her Karen!)"
-
NYC Mom

"It's like cheating; it gives your child a leg up."
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Victoria Goldman,
Author of Manhattan Family Guide to Private and Selective Public Schools and The Manhattan Directory of Private Nursery Schools (victoriagoldman.net)

"A child's first school experience sets the stage for his or her relationship to learning from that point forward. The quality of this experience can imprint a child's health and self-esteem for life.
Testing For Kindergarten tells you everything you need to know to help your child succeed in school and become a life-long learner."
-
Christiane Northrup, M.D., ob/gyn physician and author of the New York Times bestsellers: Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom andThe Wisdom of Menopause
(
www.drnorthrup.com)

"Until now, this information was only available to wealthy parents who hired consultants and tutors. With this book, Karen Quinn has leveled the playing field, making it possible for any parent to give their child an equal chance to get into the best possible school and to perform at the highest level. Whether you're thinking about public school, a gifted program, or private school, read this book!"
- Candice Carpenter Olson, co-founder of
ivillage.com

Wow.
This book tops my list of must read status for any mom of a preschooler. Regardless of if your child will someday attend public or private school, this book is for you as it will help you prep your kids for their academic future. Did you know that by the age of 5 most children in America will be given some kind of intelligence test? I didn't and I never thought twice about it since I'm the mom of a 2-year-old and 4-year-old who with 100% certainty will attend ordinary public school in the suburbs. But this fact really does matter, far beyond just having a high IQ to gain kindergarten placement at prestigious private schools, as public school children will be also tested and then placed into gifted programs and ability tracks that will potentially impact their academic achievements and exposure for the next 12 years. Within hours of reading
Testing for Kindergarten, I started incorporating Karen's playful strategies and tips for increasing my children's intelligence. Her book is a light easy read on a topic matter that one would expect to be boring. And I when I mean she gives you ideas on how to incorporate it into play, we are talking lists and lists of questions to ask, games to play, and books to read that will literally change how you interact with your kiddos so they seamlessly learn more.
Amazing! For a mere $15, this book brings to the masses, what in the past, only a very expensive consultant might be able to do, as it uncovers for us regular parents just what a hard core IQ test will cover so we can gauge the preparation level of our tykes. Don't let the title fool you into assuming it's a book geared only for the wealthy elite fighting to get their kids into private schools so their kids will someday get accepted into the Ivy League - really and truly, this is beyond a must read for every Mom of a preschool aged kids. Loved it!
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Colleen Padilla,
Founder, Classy Mommy (
www.Classymommy.com)

"I wish this had been written before my older son started Kindergarten. It is the 'must have' book for every parent going through the kindergarten admissions process.
Testing For Kindergarten is written with authority and experience from someone who knows what she is talking about. I will be recommending it to all parents of preschool children."
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Lyss Stern,
Founder Divalysscious Moms and Editor-In-Chief of Observer Playground (
www.divalyssciousmoms.com)

"Thank you, Karen Quinn, for writing the only no-nonsense, beyond informative, useful, common-sense and often laugh-out-loud book whose approach to kindergarten testing (and learning, in general) will manage to assuage the fears of masses of well-intended parents. As a pediatrician, I will recommend this to all parents!"
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Dr. Jamie Wells,
Pediatrician, New York City (
www.bournepediatrics.com)

"This book is a goldmine of information--an invaluable resource for parents of young children who want to ignite their children's learning. With a unique talent for combining the latest scientific knowledge with her own real-world experience, Karen Quinn pulls back the curtain, revealing what educators look for when making admissions and placement decisions. More importantly, she uses educational tests as blueprints for understanding the 7 key abilities every child needs to succeed in school and then teaches parents easy and fun ways to instill those abilities in their kids."
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Dr. Marion Blank,
Director of "A Light on Literacy Program" at Columbia University (
www.doctorblank.com)

"Balmex, baby wipes and this tell-all book...three diaper bag essentials for every mom (and dad). Karen Quinn cracks the kindergarten testing code, and now you can too! Her smart strategies and practical know-how will help you put your child on the path to school and life success. Wise, witty, and well-researched, it's like getting sage advice from a seasoned, savvy, sisterly mom friend who has done her homework. Love the suggested games, activities, recommended books and websites. You'll want to refer to it over and over again. Even though my son is in first grade, I took away so much from the book that I had my husband read it. In a word....
Testing for Kindergarten ROCKS!"
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Robin Gorman Newman,
founder, Motherhood Later...Than Sooner (
www.MotherhoodLater.com)
“Bravo to Karen Quinn for an amazingly straightforward read into an elusive topic. New parents not knowing about the world of private schools are often so riddled with anxiety when they come into my office. Now, it is as if Karen can counsel them directly with this amazing read -- and it's healthier than Xanax!”
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Jasmine Lake,
Director of Admission, Miami Country Day School (
www.miamicountryday.org)

"Testing for Kindergarten is a friendly, easy to read, helpful guide written for parents, by a parent. By using these strategies to develop the abilities of their children, parents can feel confident they are on the path toward success."
Norma Hafenstein, PhD
Director, Ricks Center for Gifted Children
Director, Institute for the Development of Gifted Education
Morgridge College of Education
University of Denver (www.du.edu/ricks/)

"Parents will be running to the bookstore for this book!"
Pamela French, Producer of the documentary “
Getting In… Kindergarten,” an hour that aired on TLC, about Manhattan parents struggling through the subculture of the NYC kindergarten admissions process.

"There are so many books on the market now on how to raise smarter kids - and we don't need another one! But that is not what this book is about. It is about how to get your child ready for kindergarten and kindergarten testing.... a huge difference! It is filled with common sense advice, excellent ideas, and no cost activities. As teachers we are always happy when it is apparent that parents are doing the right thing...and following the suggestions in Karen Quinn's book is the surefire way to get your little one on the path to school success! I highly recommend this book."
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Judy Mumma,
Kindergarten Teacher, Paulding Elementary School, Paulding, Ohio (
www.pvhs.noacsc.org)
"
Testing For Kindergarten made me want to get back into the classroom. As a 30-year public school teaching veteran, I was shaking my head on almost every page because Karen Quinn got it so right. Not only is this a wonderful guide for parents, but it should be on the reading list for all prospective student teachers going into early childhood education. Well thought out, well organized and well done."
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Bonnie Edelman,
Kindergarten Teacher, Aurora Public School District, Aurora, Colorado (
www.aps.k12.co.us)
"Hi Karen, it's Pat Jones from Far Rockaway in NY. We were introduced about a year or 2 ago. I hope you remember me. Well, just a note to let you know that your book and the game you shared with my daycare back then is has been the best thing ever happen for my group. I have implemented lots of techniques from the book and have seen the development and progress in my students. As a matter of fact on Friday November 8, I am hosting a PTA for parents of students scheduled to be tested for G&T in 2014 and I will be introducing my parents to your book. Thanks you for being an inspiration and an advocate for children . I look forward to continuing this progressive journey."
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Pat Jones,
Head of a Nursery School in Far Rockaway, NY
"Karen,
Testing For Kindergarten is simply brilliant. The best thing about the book is that it focuses on evidence-based, practical information, in simple language, all in one place. I live in the UK, where testing doesn't apply. However, your book is the most useful of any book we've read about "early learning." Thank you for your hard work on this. We have just ordered your game as well. We really look forward to playing it with our 3-year-old son."
- Halim, Aberdeem, UK