What exactly is a prepped kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP seems to think that anything that she doesn't do is prepping. I do about half of what she mentions, but we don't even live in an area that has AAP. We do it because we value education and my dc likes it.

Where do you live? Surely not in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prepping is sending your kid to Kumon (eg) and only enrolling him in academic camps in the summer. Having do Singapore math at home every night for an hour, practicing an instrument every night for an hour... Having a tutor to help him get ahead and not to address a problem. Picking their instrument and sitting in their private lesson. It is not reading to your child every night, taking him to museums, practicing arithmetic in the car, buying a few workbooks...

This may be somethings but it is not prepping unless you believe it is prepping for some life skills the parents wish for their child. It is not 'prepping' in the sense of AAP, which is directly related to entry into the program.

[Anonymous]

Who cares if a parent is taking their child to Kumon and having them practice an instrument? Are you really outraged on behalf of that child or are you just upset because it doesn't align with the childhood you're giving your own child. It shouldn't matter to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who cares if a parent is taking their child to Kumon and having them practice an instrument? Are you really outraged on behalf of that child or are you just upset because it doesn't align with the childhood you're giving your own child. It shouldn't matter to you.

+1.

Sending kids to Kumon is not prepping/cheating on the exams.

[Anonymous]

This thread makes me think about the new SAT, which will apparently debut with the PSAT/NMSQT given in the Fall of 2015. This is the test that qualifies kids for the National Merit program. People are saying that the test next year will be given on the most even playing field in years because it will be a completely new version of the test. No one will be able to prep for this new test ahead of time, since there won't be previously released tests to practice with. It will be interesting to see how the scores shake out and what kids think of the test after they take it.

[Anonymous]

a prepped kid is typically a boring, not particularly creative child, from the one's I've met. the word "stepford" typically springs to mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:a prepped kid is typically a boring, not particularly creative child, from the one's I've met. the word "stepford" typically springs to mind.

Seriously? My kid wasn't prepped but I would have zero idea who was and who wasn't. How many is your vast sampling of kids that you're basing your research on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:a prepped kid is typically a boring, not particularly creative child, from the one's I've met. the word "stepford" typically springs to mind.

I have met plenty of glassy-eyed kids who were that way based on personality. No prepping.

[Anonymous]

Wait a minute. By your logic, preparing for SATs - at home or at a center - would also be 'dishonest' since kids are practicing taking the test in advance. So how is going through a CogAT book different?

I don't see anything wrong with Kumon or workbooks as long as parents don't overdo it and put extra pressure on the child. We have a bunch of workbooks lying around the house, and DS often picks up one of them to work on for fun. He particularly likes word searches and mazes. I tend to think it's a good supplement and if he gets into a HGT program, I'd only be happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP seems to think that anything that she doesn't do is prepping. I do about half of what she mentions, but we don't even live in an area that has AAP. We do it because we value education and my dc likes it.

Where do you live? Surely not in FCPS.

Obviously not. We live in DC, and my dc goes to an amazing charter school. We would do the same no matter where we lived though. My parents did the same with me. For instance, even though I was extremely advanced in math, I had a math tutor because I begged for months. I loved it, and my dc loves what I do with her. It has nothing to do with competition; it has to do with the love of learning and the appreciation of learning through different types of methods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:a prepped kid is typically a boring, not particularly creative child, from the one's I've met. the word "stepford" typically springs to mind.

I have no doubt that down the line when your kid does not get into TJ or decides not to apply because he/she does not stand a chance, you will be griping about the boring, uncreative prepped kids who end up getting in because they cheat or game the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait a minute. By your logic, preparing for SATs - at home or at a center - would also be 'dishonest' since kids are practicing taking the test in advance. So how is going through a CogAT book different?

I don't see anything wrong with Kumon or workbooks as long as parents don't overdo it and put extra pressure on the child. We have a bunch of workbooks lying around the house, and DS often picks up one of them to work on for fun. He particularly likes word searches and mazes. I tend to think it's a good supplement and if he gets into a HGT program, I'd only be happy.

If you think it is the same, advertise that you prepped on the parental referral.

The way I studied for the SAT's was to learn vocabulary. I still use those words today.


Ask anyone who does the testing -- who understands what they are trying to measure. You will find they uniformly are against prepping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait a minute. By your logic, preparing for SATs - at home or at a center - would also be 'dishonest' since kids are practicing taking the test in advance. So how is going through a CogAT book different?

I don't see anything wrong with Kumon or workbooks as long as parents don't overdo it and put extra pressure on the child. We have a bunch of workbooks lying around the house, and DS often picks up one of them to work on for fun. He particularly likes word searches and mazes. I tend to think it's a good supplement and if he gets into a HGT program, I'd only be happy.

Because CogAT apparently does not have many versions. You may actually be practicing with the actual tests. Similarly to WISC, you can not even retake it within two years.

I am all for prepping for SAT. SAT no longer claims to be an aptitude test. I don't see anything wrong with Kumon at all. Just don't think it is the best use of time with my child. But I plan on working on math with him at home. Simply just don't trust the math education he got in school.

[Anonymous]

As is obvious from the variations in the PP there is no definition. Even Urban Dictionary does not try. Peruse the posts.....

Kumon: Yes and no
Workbooks: Yes and no.
Music lessons: Yes and no
Supplementing: Yes and no.
Tutors: Yes and No.
Tiger Moms & Dads: Oh Yes, Yes, Yes (whatever that means either.

The term barely exists outside DCUM.

Basically, since no one wants to be labeled racist, it's code for high achieving minorities (mostly Asian, but it helps rationalize Ben Carson, Herman Cain and similar others too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait a minute. By your logic, preparing for SATs - at home or at a center - would also be 'dishonest' since kids are practicing taking the test in advance. So how is going through a CogAT book different?

I don't see anything wrong with Kumon or workbooks as long as parents don't overdo it and put extra pressure on the child. We have a bunch of workbooks lying around the house, and DS often picks up one of them to work on for fun. He particularly likes word searches and mazes. I tend to think it's a good supplement and if he gets into a HGT program, I'd only be happy.

Same.

Because CogAT apparently does not have many versions. You may actually be practicing with the actual tests. Similarly to WISC, you can not even retake it within two years.

No, CoGAT has many versions and forms. In fact, FCPS purchases a unique version for use each year.

I am all for prepping for SAT. SAT no longer claims to be an aptitude test. I don't see anything wrong with Kumon at all. Just don't think it is the best use of time with my child. But I plan on working on math with him at home. Simply just don't trust the math education he got in school.

Agreed