Q: Our school librarian sent home a list of books to encourage summer reading. I was surprised to see picture books on the third-grade list. She also recommended "reading to and with your children, even if they can read independently." Isn't that babying them?

A: When it comes to encouraging kids to read, use every tool at hand. This is especially true during the summer months, when kids' skills hit the snooze button. According to the National Summer Learning Association, students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer. (Go to summerlearning.org for more information.)

Of course you want to encourage independent reading, but there is nothing babyish about continuing to read to children once they've cracked the code. The 2015 Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report shows that 80 percent of surveyed children ages 6 to 17 say that they still like it when parents read with them, because it means spending special time with family.

A quarter-century ago, educator Jim Trelease wrote "The Read-Aloud Handbook" to encourage parents to set aside quality time each evening to read to their children. "It became a best-seller because it promoted the pleasures of families enjoying good books together," says Carl Harvey, a school library consultant who teaches librarianship at Longwood University in Virginia.

Reading aloud with your kids offers many benefits, says Harvey. Among them:

-- It's enjoyable. When kids connect reading with pleasure, they want to read more.

-- It helps stir kids' imaginations. Unlike a movie, they have to envision the setting from the words they hear.

-- It prompts family discussions -- great for oral language development.

-- It hones their listening skills and their ability to focus, a good thing in these days of constant digital distractions.

-- It models what fluent reading sounds like.

-- It builds vocabulary not by memorization, but by using new words in context. It also naturally introduces kids to words well above their reading level. For example, reading a biography of an astronaut introduces the language and acronyms of space exploration.

-- It builds important background knowledge that boosts reading comprehension. This is especially true with nonfiction. For example, an article in Wired magazine about virtual reality that allows people to work together via 3-D avatars may be well beyond the reach of a newly independent reader, but it may be awe-inspiring to a third-grade listener.

And what about picture books recommended for third graders?

"Parents should know that picture books aren't just for pre-readers," says Harvey. "Many nonfiction picture books are appropriate for older audiences. Sure, they have great photos and illustrations, but most are also packed with valuable information in the captions and text. Some librarians buy them for high school collections because they are great ways to introduce a topic such as astronomy or ocean life."

When school's out, make family reading time a daily part of kids' summer vacation. "There's a big payoff academically, socially and emotionally for kids," says Harvey.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: A neighbor and I want to give our five kids (ages 8, 10 and 11) science experiences this summer, as we can't afford camps at nearby colleges. How can we plan something valuable across those age ranges?

A: Summer is a wonderful time for family-led science activities. Schedules are more flexible; you can take a deep dive into hands-on projects, and no one has to stop and put away the materials as they would in school. Plus, you can take field trips to visit professionals who work in science-related careers.

For a summer filled with science, take three steps, says Allison Duarte, a middle school educator who designs science curriculum for New York City's Harlem Academy.

First, choose a stack of nonfiction children's books that match kids' interests. "While it may sound counterintuitive, start with reading," Duarte explains. "Nonfiction introduces key concepts through developmentally appropriate storytelling and photos or illustrations. Introduce 'academic vocabulary' (that) kids need to understand the topic, build background for further study and reinforce literacy skills."

For example, do your kids want to study birds? The book "Birdology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Birds" (Chicago Review Press, 2015) shows them how to spot birds almost anywhere and gets them to analyze, write about and draw what they see. It teaches essential vocabulary such as "migration," "nesting," "territories" and "preservation."

"Read science books with your children to check for understanding and prompt conversations that lead to questions about the book's topic," suggests Duarte.

Ask your kids' teachers or a children's librarian to recommend titles. Or choose from recommended science books for grades K-12 published annually by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Children's Book Council: nsta.org/publications/ostb/.

Second, conduct experiments that help them develop the skills to carry out scientific investigations independently. "Guide them through the scientific process: question, hypothesis, materials, procedure, results and conclusion," advises Duarte. "Have them keep a science journal to reinforce observation and recording skills. At the conclusion of each experiment, ask children to share their results and suggest a follow-up experiment."

To find experiments, Duarte recommends two books that yield quality results, offering clear protocols with illustrations and using everyday materials: "Kitchen Science Lab for Kids: 52 Family-Friendly Experiments From Around the House" (Quarry Books, 2014) and "The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book" (Adams Media Corporation, 2001).

Third, plan field trips. "Exploring museums and nature centers is a valuable economical way to share science with kids," says Duarte. "Many museums offer free classes or drop-in experiences with scientists. Check the museum's website for suggestions on how to make the most of the experience before, during and after the visit."

She also encourages getting kids "off the grid" and into natural settings. "This encourages environmental stewardship and scientific inquiry about the natural world," says Duarte. For example, hike the same trail several times. Have children record close observations about trees, animals, sounds and weather. How does one habitat differ from another? What's the same and what's different?

By providing summer science activities, "you invest in your children's continued growth as scientists and scholars," says Duarte. "As a bonus, not only will kids love the special time together, you may learn something new!"

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: My daughter, a rising college senior, finds volunteer tutoring very satisfying. She will graduate in January and wants to apply for a two-year stint at Teach For America. I think she should start her real career upon graduation. How can I convince her?

A: What if her real career turns out to be teaching? Or a position inspired by her Teach For America (TFA) experience? Teaching is still an appealing career choice and a great foundation for other professions. Many of the 40,000 TFA alumni now work in related fields, many in leadership positions.

Take Eddy Hernandez Perez, for instance. His assignment was teaching fifth grade in San Antonio. Through his teaching success he got to advise then-Mayor Julian Castro on education policy and helped start Leadership SAISD, a nonprofit program that works on behalf of students in the San Antonio school district. He eventually got his master's degree in education at Harvard and is set to graduate law school at the University of Texas next May. Hard to argue with that career path!

Laura Smith, a high school math teacher in Dayton, Ohio, is completing her two-year TFA commitment and weighing a third. "My degree is in accounting, and I love to teach math," she says. "One day I'd like to combine those skills in a way that uses data to help narrow the opportunity gap, one of our nation's toughest problems."

They have some advice for your daughter: Apply to TFA because of your passion. Are you doing this for students and to learn the skill of teaching? If not, then rethink your priorities.

"Don't use TFA as a break between college and grad school," says Smith. "The work is hard. You'll struggle to focus on your students if you're only passionate about studying for the LSAT."

Assess your adaptability. TFA doesn't put you where you want to go. If accepted, TFA sends you where you're needed.

Prep well to apply: While applications have dipped from the 2013 high of more than 57,000, getting in remains competitive. Prepare yourself by talking with alumni and principals in schools with TFA teachers.

"If you can't stay excited throughout the application process, decide on a different route," says Smith.

Expect tough challenges. If accepted, you'll need to prove yourself to students and colleagues. You'll get good support from TFA, but you need large stores of resilience and stamina.

And now here's some advice for you, Mom. Some form of service to the country helps young people get to know themselves and what they're made of. It helps define their professional personalities, and they learn what motivates them. They also develop insight and leadership skills. If your daughter decides to apply, be thrilled you've raised such a mature young woman.

Find TFA application deadlines at teachforamerica.org.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)