Summer offers a relaxed time for students to reinforce missed concepts, catch-up with the class, and prepare for the coming year. For students in need of some extra support, check out these Summer Learning options, from summer school to online courses.

TeamUP! Tutors makes it easy to avoid summer brain drain while still leaving plenty of time for the most important part of summer… Play! During summer vacation, our tutoring packages can be put on hold to accommodate family vacations and summer camp plans. Just let us know which dates work or don’t work and get the best of both worlds this summer.

Want to know more about summer slide? Check out our Summer Enrichment Guide and find out what the experts have to say about the perils of learning loss as well as resources you can use at home to keep young brains active all summer long.

For ideas, check out our suggestions for summer activities.

To become part of the solution, and earn community service hours, the U.S. Department of Education suggests asking your local librarian about opportunities to read to younger children in your community.

Serve.gov adds that if a young person reads only five books over the summer, the effect is potentially large enough to prevent a decline in reading achievement scores from the spring to the fall. Furthermore, children who are read to at least three times a week, are twice as likely to score in the top 25% on reading tests.

Helping younger children bridge the summer reading gap allows older students to demonstrates compassion, give back to their communities, and learn firsthand that one person can always make a difference. To find a local literacy program, or for more ideas on how young people can serve, visit the United We Serve website.

“Taking a break from school doesn’t have to mean taking a break from learning. While you don’t want to torture your child with spelling tests and math drills this summer, you do want to keep their brains going! Research shows that parent involvement is one of the most important predictors of a child’s educational success. Spending time with your child doing fun and educational activities is a great way to participate in his education.”

Families that complete 20 activities by August 31 will have the chance to win a Dell Latitude 2100 Netbook. Activities, listed by age and topic, include exploring smell with the younger set, making a grandparent history book with middle schoolers, and SAT prep for high schoolers.

If NOVA doesn’t appeal, the PBS video website features other informative shows, including History Detectives and Nature. Have a budding chef on your hands? How about learning to cook with Julia Child? A passionate environmentalist? Check out some e2 episodes.

Videos can be browsed by topic or program 24-hours a day. Easy-to-use navigation allows watchers to quickly choose from a variety of educational subjects — a fun, relaxing way to learn, explore, and stay informed during the summer months and beyond.

A few days ago we recommended giving your family a summer of reading. Now all you need are some ideas for finding great books. Check out our new article, 3 Ways to Find Great Books. Then peruse award-winning books featured on various lists in our Ultimate Book List for Children and Young Adults.

You’ll have enough books for several summers!

• find books to match your child’s individual interests
• try a variety of genres from fantasy and mystery to non-fiction and comics
• leave reading materials lying around
• read to your children, even the big ones
• make sure your kids catch you reading often
• visit the library frequently and ask your librarian for help
• invite children read to younger siblings or neighbors
• set aside a regular family reading time each day
• never bully, nag, bribe, or criticize reading skills or materials

Studies show that the more children read, the better readers and writers they become. Visit your local library to take advantage of this completely free activity that helps keep brains active all summer long.

We’ve all heard about No Child Left Behind, but what happens if yours was? Maybe he drew the short straw and got a dud teacher. Or perhaps it took until late in the year to connect all the dots and realize the need for extra support. Whatever the reason, your child is on track to start the next school year at a disadvantage. So what’s a parent to do?

TeamUP! Tutors’ latest Article, Guide to Summer Learning: Accredited Summer Classes, gives you the inside scoop on summer school, online instruction, and one-on-one support.

By following expert advice, parents can help their children avoid ten weeks of brain drain while still leaving plenty of time for play. An endless supply of enrichment resources and opportunities are available to try at home, in the community, or with the help of a tutor.

With very little effort, students can use the relaxed summer months to keep their brains active, reinforce missed concepts, catch-up with the class, and prepare for the coming year while still enjoying lazy days and family vacation time.

Summer Brain Drain: “Kids lose one to three months of learning”
http://school.familyeducation.com/summer/cognitive-processes/38453.html

Staunch Your Kid’s Summer Learning Loss
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8146912/

Summer Home Learning Recipes from the National Education Association
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/Recipes/index.html

Make learning a part of your everyday routine
http://school.familyeducation.com/summer/family-learning/36089.html