Why Classics Still Matter (Especially for Young Readers)

Growing up, books were more than just entertainment—they were companions, teachers, and time machines. My childhood was filled with reading all kinds of books, often without any regard for “age-appropriateness.” We didn’t wait for the “right age” or set aside a particular time for reading. We just read—whenever we could, whatever we could, and often, until the book was done.

Some of the stories stayed with me for years. Others became comforting re-reads. The characters felt like friends, and their worlds—whether real, magical, or mythological—shaped how I saw the actual one around me.

Today, in a world ruled by reels, rapid-fire content, and endless video recommendations, it may seem like books—especially old classics—are outdated. But I believe they are more essential than ever, especially for young readers.

A Word from a Kumon Instructor

As a Kumon instructor of 15+ years, I see firsthand how reading habits are declining—not just in children, but in families as a whole. Parents often ask how to get their children to read, but many forget that children model what they see. If parents don’t read, children rarely will.

What worries me most is that it’s not intelligence that’s dropping, it’s language ability. Vocabulary and comprehension scores are lower generation by generation. Kids struggle to articulate ideas clearly. They can think deeply, but without the language to express those thoughts, their potential feels muffled.

This is why we need to go back to reading—not as a chore, but as a way of life.

Why Read Classics and “Old” Books Today?

1. Because Timeless Stories Still Teach the Deepest Lessons Books like Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, or the Mahabharata may be old, but the emotions they explore—identity, courage, heartbreak, injustice, forgiveness—are timeless. A good story doesn’t age. It simply waits for a new reader to rediscover it.

   
   

2. Because Reading Builds Depth Unlike videos or social media, books allow us to pause, think, and imagine. They don’t spoon-feed us visuals or edits—we co-create the world as we read. That’s how empathy, patience, and critical thinking grow.

   
   

3. Because Language Shapes Thought Reading books with rich language (Dickens, Austen, or even R.K. Narayan) helps develop a sense of rhythm, vocabulary, and expression. These aren’t just academic skills—they’re life skills. The ability to articulate ideas clearly and listen deeply starts with words.

   
   

4. Because Reading Isn't About Age—It's About Curiosity As a child, I read The Count of Monte Cristo with as much excitement as I read Geronimo Stilton. We never asked, “Is this book meant for my age?” We were simply led by curiosity. That kind of free, exploratory reading opens up young minds in powerful ways.

   
   

5. Because Books Offer Stillness in a Loud World The world is fast, noisy, and overstimulating. Books offer a quiet refuge. They create space for slow thought, deep feeling, and inner peace—something every generation needs, especially the younger ones growing up in a distracted world.

Reading Builds Brains and Hearts

Young people today are smart, creative, and full of potential. Giving them access to classic literature and old stories is not about dragging them back in time—it’s about giving them a foundation to move forward with strength and imagination.

Reading nurtures qualities that no algorithm can predict:

• Wonder

• Compassion

• Perseverance

• Curiosity

• Wisdom

  
  

It teaches that not all heroes wear capes—some wear old coats (like Magwitch), or write long letters (like Mr. Darcy), or wield just a pen (like Anne Shirley).

Final Thought: Make Reading a Habit, Not a Homework

You don’t need a schedule. You don’t need rules. Just keep a book nearby. Let curiosity lead. Let the characters speak. Let the old stories find a new home in today’s readers.

Whether it’s Sherlock Holmes or Bridgerton, Percy Jackson or Panchatantra, the act of reading itself is the real magic.

So hand a young person a book—not a summary, not a screen, but the book itself—and watch what grows from there.