- Make sure everyone in the family has a library card and make frequent visits. Many local libraries have storytimes, summer reading programs and fun special events. Also, the librarians are always qualified to help make book selections for your young readers! Kids might enjoy a family read-aloud book too. Choose a book that is slightly above their reading level and read a chapter every night.

- Start a neighborhood book club: Everyone reads the same book and then gets together to discuss the book and enjoy treats and fun! (Tips of how to start your own book club.)

- Catch up on correspondence with family and friends by writing letters or postcards! It will be fun for the kids to get mail if anyone writes back!

- Pick a word of the day and offer small treats (money for the snackbar at the pool or other small incentive) for using the word throughout the day.

- Use current events to encourage personal learning and research. With the Olympics right around the corner, spend some time with a globe talking about where the athletes are from. Also, find books and other materials about the presidential election that will make the coverage of this national event more meaningful to kids.

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How to Keep Learning Alive During School Vacation
With the arrival of another school vacation, students relish the break from their academic routine. But parents may be worried that hard-earned gains in learning will be lost during the hiatus from the classroom. Award-winning teacher and education writer Judy Molland offers some tips on how to keep the kids learning – in different and, yes, fun ways.



This podcast is one in a series of Straight Talk About Schools podcasts.