Four ways to keep your kids learning this summer

By Chris McGinn

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School's out, but that doesn't mean the learning has to stop for your kids this summer. Did you know that most students lose two months of grade level equivalency in math skills and that some students lose more than two months of reading ability over summer break?

While they should be spending lots of time relaxing by the pool or wandering in the woods, there will still be opportunities to squeeze in a little more ABCs and 123s.

Consider these ideas for keeping your kids brains in practice and avoiding the summer slide: 

Virtual book clubs

Your child may want to avoid books all summer, but a little incentive may be just what they need to keep turning pages. Your local library is a great place to find a summer reading program. If you don't live near a library or you want to try out something different, several companies are offering summer reading programs online.

Scholastic's Summer Challenge encourages readers to finish 4 books this summer to earn rewards. It also has a challenge to read for the world record aimed at slightly older readers through its Stacks online community.  Kids 8 and up will compete to help their school to be one of the top 20 with the most reading minutes and to appear it its Scholastic Book of World Records 2011 edition.

Bookstores like Barnes and Noble are also rewarding summer readers. Kids who read any 8 books and track them in the Passport to Summer Reading will earn a free book.

The popular Book It! Program has a summer break edition that encourages kids to read 5 books to be eligible for a chance to win prizes such as swim gear, books, games, gift cards and more.

Audio books

If your kid refuses to pick up a book, don't lose heart. Audio books are great alternative that still expose your student to wonderful stories and help them broaden their imaginations.  If they are going to have ear buds in anyway, they may as well be listening to a great story.
Audible.com has an entire sub-site devoted to children's literature.The site offers a subscription-system or one-time purchases that you can download to any iPod or mp3 player. You can also download to your computer and burn a copy on CD. 

Another free option for audio books is Librivox.com where volunteers have recorded public domain works that you can listen to online. Think Emily Bronte, Charles Dickens, and Jane Austen.  Your local library may also have free audio books available for checkout or through online partnerships.

Learn a new skill

Broaden your child's education beyond the three Rs with some new technology skills. The summer is the perfect time for your student to take up a new hobby like digital photography, video editing, web design or blogging.

These real-world skills will help them keep their brains in "learning mode" even if the topic is not a part of their usual curriculum. They can also translate into freelance work or marketable job qualities when they get older.

Summer is also a great time to encourage your child to learn to type. Make it a challenge with a great reward for learning this essential 21st century skill. Try a free online course like PowerTyping or buy a fun game-based software like Typing Instructor.

E-tutoring

If your student struggled this year in a particular subject, summer is a great time to boost their knowledge and their self-esteem with some low-pressure learning.

For math try Dimension M. This game is being used by school districts as an alternative to summer school to help kids catch up on math learning by incorporating gaming.

They are also hosting a Summer Math Challenge that could make your student a winner if they score one of the top 10 high scores on the multiplayer version.

Struggling readers might like playing games at HeadSprout or the free site Starfall to boost early reading and comprehension skills for grades K-5.

Learning apps are a popular category for smartphone users. Download a few new ones to give your kids something to do on long drives to family vacation or waiting in line at the theme park.