As a former teacher, I saw just how many kids were behind in reading. Now I want to help parents set their kids up for success.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Spencer Russell, head of literacy strategy at Lovevery. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I never loved reading growing up. Compared to my peers and siblings — who, admittedly, were a very academically rigorous circle — I struggled to read. I lacked confidence, and reading was always a source of some stress for me.

After college, I started teaching kindergarteners in Houston through Teach for America. That’s when I really saw what a difference early reading makes for kids: not just academically but also in their overall confidence and the joy they find in books.

I taught my son to read when he was 2

When I became a dad, I wanted my son to have something I never had: an easy experience reading. Even today, I’m still only partially interested in reading. I do it because I know it’s important, but my struggle trailed me through my teens and into adulthood.

I decided to teach my son to read as early as possible. He was fully reading by two. He’s now 7 and absolutely devours books — mostly fact books and sports biographies. He genuinely loves reading. His knowledge of the world is so much more profound because of the access reading gives him. Knowing he’s a confident reader is a weight off my shoulders as a parent.

My younger son is 5 months old, and I’m introducing him to reading, too, by formally reading and giving him textured books to interact with. Today, I work in literacy and see that many parents make mistakes about reading. Here’s what I want other parents to know.

Reading is critical for kids, so parents must do it

Research shows that parents, especially in Gen Z, are reading less to their kids. There are many reasons: some parents I talk to say their kids don’t enjoy books, and others tell me they themselves find reading to their kids boring.

The thing is: reading being fun (or not) shouldn’t matter. Reading is critical for kids. As parents, we do things that we know are important for our kids, even if they’re not fun. When you understand the importance of reading, that outweighs any negative emotions you have about it.

Learning can be fun, too

Now that we’ve said that, let’s clarify: reading can and should be fun. Find books that are engaging for you and your kid. For me and my son, that’s sports books and nonfiction.

Integrate reading into your time with your kids. If you don’t have a solid bedtime routine, read during bath time or snack time. Even just five minutes of reading makes a huge difference.

Your child is more likely to struggle with reading than to excel

Nationally, about two-thirds of fourth graders read below grade level. That sounds abstract, so I like to tell parents this: your child is twice as likely to struggle with reading than they are to excel at reading.

Once you know that, you can be ready for reality. You can intervene by teaching kids to learn early or by knowing the signs that your child is struggling in school. Reading skills won’t get better without intervention. That’s hard to hear, but it’s true. It’s likely parents will have to take an active role in helping their kids learn to read.

Screen time is affecting reading

Your child’s relationship with screens is affecting their relationship with reading. In fact, your relationship with screens is affecting your relationship with reading, too. No matter how great a book is, it can’t compete with apps and online shows that have millions of dollars poured into them to keep them engaging.

As parents, we need to be brutally honest with ourselves. If your child can sit still for hours for Miss Rachel, but can’t sit still for a book, they have a screen problem, not a reading problem. We have to keep our relationships with screens in check for our kids — and ourselves — to have the best chance of reading well.

Parents are great teachers

Parents need to be involved in their kids’ reading journeys. Luckily, you don’t need any special training. As a parent, your love for and understanding of your child will go far.

I’m not here to prescribe what’s best for your family. That’s personal, and will take some trial and error. But reading skills really, really matter, so they’re worth putting in the hard work.

The post As a former teacher, I saw just how many kids were behind in reading. Now I want to help parents set their kids up for success. appeared first on Business Insider.