One of the saddest things I’ve heard a kid say is that they hate reading. Forgive me for sounding like a stereotypical English teacher, but I’m serious when I say it feels like a punch in the gut.

I am the daughter of an English teacher who grew up to become an English teacher, so it is to be expected that I love reading. In fact, I have always loved reading. My mom always tells me that, once I started reading, I never stopped. The older I get, the more I am aware of why I love it so much: reading opens your mind to different possibilities, ideas, and ways of thinking that wouldn't be possible otherwise. Because of my intense love for books, I have always had a hard time with the fact that other people don’t like reading.

Here’s the thing: reading does so much more than convey information through text. It improves vocabulary, strengthens writing ability, develops critical thinking skills, makes connections to the world, and starts dialogue between people about different topics and ideas. All of these skills are necessary to be successful in society. By passing off the increasing disinterest in reading among young people as a generational change, it has left huge gaps in the education of our nation’s students!

What I’m talking about goes beyond the usual narrative of “you either like reading or you don’t.” When reading isn’t made a priority for kids, they not only take on the attitude of dislike, but they don’t get the practice they need to become proficient in reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension. This is why we have students who are reading and writing grade levels behind where they should be. The impact goes way beyond the elementary classroom. We end up with a whole generation of adults who lack the skills to efficiently communicate or think deeply about the issues we face in our world.

We tend to look at reading as a task which only involves books you could find at the library. I’m sure it’s obvious, though, that reading is included in almost everything we do. Think about it: how could you drive if you couldn’t read the road signs? How could you watch a sports game if you couldn’t tell the score? How could you communicate with your boss if you couldn’t read their emails?

I’m not saying that everyone needs to get over their hatred for books and attack a 100-book reading list this summer. I’m also not saying that you should force yourself to read when it’s not something you enjoy. What I am saying is that reading is one of those foundational skills that we use to build everything we learn. If we don’t properly represent the value of reading to the younger generation, we are going to end up with a lot of problems. It is so important to read to young kids, as well as to help them find books about things they like so that reading doesn’t become a burden they are forced to endure and eventually come to resent. They are going to have to read for the rest of their lives – shouldn’t they at least see how it can help them?

Perhaps I’m just an overly passionate teacher, but I do know one thing: you wouldn’t be able to do much of what you can right now if you couldn’t read. I want my future students to understand the impact that reading can have on their lives, even if it isn’t their favorite activity.