Struggling to pull your child away from screens and into books? You’re not alone. With video games, YouTube, and digital distractions everywhere, reading can feel like a losing battle. But good news—you don’t have to choose between screens and stories.
In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares how to balance screen time with reading using simple strategies that actually work. You’ll learn how to set boundaries, use tech to support literacy (not fight it), and turn everyday screen time into opportunities for reading growth.
What You’ll Learn:
✔ How to set screen time boundaries without the battles
✔ Ways to use tech (apps, audiobooks, eBooks) to make reading fun
✔ How to turn reading into a game with digital tools kids love
✔ Screen-free storytelling, real-life literacy ideas, and playful writing prompts
✔ Why your tech habits matter—and how to model what you want to see
⏳ Key Episode Highlights:
[00:00:33] The screen time struggle—and a personal story from Ellen
[00:01:20] Why screens don’t have to be the enemy of reading
[00:02:49] Tech that supports literacy: apps, audiobooks, word games
[00:03:39] Real talk: why setting screen time boundaries is hard (but doable)
[00:06:07] How family meetings help kids buy into tech limits
[00:07:59] Gamifying reading with apps like Epic! and Beanstack
[00:09:18] Audiobooks and podcasts as gateway stories
[00:10:08] Letting kids create their own books
[00:11:44] Strategies for kids who are “screen-first”
[00:12:46] Real-life reading ideas: scavenger hunts, board games, pretend play
[00:14:05] Sneak peek at next week’s episode
📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/07/10/screen-time-reading-tips/
📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/my2t4J0y8jU
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It helps get this podcast out in front of more moms that need to hear it, so we can help more reluctant readers learn to love books and put an end to the nightly battles around reading!
Resources:
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