When my daughter was in first grade, her teacher called me in February and left a message: “Your daughter is significantly behind in reading; I recommend that she attend summer school for eight weeks this summer to improve her skills.” As a longtime educator, and a parent of two older children, I was stunned. Why would I want to put a six year-old in summer school when she could otherwise spend time outside with her brothers and friends? What other activities might she have to forgo to improve her reading skills? What message would I be sending her?
Reading is fundamental to cognitive development, empathy-building, improved vocabulary, and writing skills. Success in high school will depend on advanced reading and writing skills, particularly the ability to critically analyze texts and primary sources. When it comes time for college applications, students will need to express themselves, not once, but many times–in long, short, and even short sentence-paragraphs. Their ability to use their own voice and clearly articulate what matters to them will form an essential part of their applications.
I taught high school English for thirty years, and the best writers could write well because they read well. Not only did reading teach them to recognize the building blocks of narrative structure, books also revealed to them the beauty of language–the importance of rhythm, grammatical structure, imagery, figurative language. My very top students could make connections across their learning–in every subject–because they had exposed themselves to multiple literary genres and time periods long before high school. They were also better able to manage stress and regulate their emotions thanks, in part, to the therapeutic escape literature provides.
Bedtime stories and a regular diet of picture books expose the very youngest children to the joys of reading, but sometimes those habits drop off in middle school, when social priorities take hold. As I wrote in “The Activity Trap” last week, middle school is where the habits and interests that carry students into high school begin to take shape. Reading is the one that threads through almost everything else.
Every child approaches reading differently, and what works for one won’t always work for another. If you’d like to think through what might work for yours, Kate is happy to share what she’s seen with students like yours.
How To Encourage Middle Schoolers To Read
If your child isn’t naturally drawn to reading yet, there are very effective ways to introduce it without turning it into a battle.
- Frequent the local bookstore. Make it a fun, regular part of your monthly routine. Even if you do not buy any books, browsing the bookshelves can spark curiosity and connection.
- Get to know librarians. The school librarian is an invaluable resource. Middle school students need to be fed a regular diet of reading materials, and the librarian can cater selections to the interests of your child. Children are much more likely to read if the books mirror their interests. Your local librarian can be a valuable resource too.
- Play an audio book for the whole family on roadtrips. Sharing a listen sparks conversations about characters, plot themes, even narrative arcs.
- Expose them to other forms of storytelling. For the most reluctant reader, an age-appropriate television program (believe it or not) can get middle schoolers talking about the fundamental building blocks of literature. Consider picking a long form family program–and talk about it before and after each episode. You’ll be amazed at how confidently your middle schooler offers critical analysis without prompting. An added bonus, you will share an experience with your child and keep communication lines open throughout middle school.
- Parents who read have children who read. Put your phone away and pick up a book. Your middle schooler will take their cues from you.
I did not put my daughter in summer school after first grade. Instead, I worked with a school librarian to identify books on subjects that interested her–books about animal rescue, animal facts, and stories about dogs. She soon developed a voracious appetite for books. In middle school, she asked us to install bookshelves in her bedroom. In high school, she dreamed of a home library with a ladder. This fall she will attend St. Andrews, in Scotland, to earn a degree in literature.
Every reader is different, and so is every family. Email Kate to receive our Top Tier Futures Middle School Reading List, a free, curated guide to building your child’s reading life.
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She began her career at Kent School as an English teacher, coach, dormitory faculty member, and assistant athletic director, developing a deep understanding of students both inside and outside the classroom. After earning her master’s degree from Northwestern University, she joined Westminster School, where she ultimately served as Director of College Counseling, guiding students and families through academic planning and highly selective admissions.
Kate later held senior leadership roles at Pomfret School and for 12 years at The Winsor School, where she oversaw grades 5–12 academics, supervised college counseling, conducted mock interviews, and helped shape institutional strategy.
Having worked as a teacher, advisor, college counselor, academic dean, and associate head of school, Kate understands how admissions decisions are made — and how to position students thoughtfully and authentically. Today, she focuses on what she values most: partnering one-on-one with young people to help them tell their stories with confidence and purpose.
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