How to Get Your Toddlers & Preschoolers Hooked on Books
Practical ways to build a book-loving, low-screen family
Hi, and welcome to Nurture Notes! I’m Cadence—a mama and a writer who cares deeply about intentional motherhood and building a more purposeful, connected life with our kids.
When I say “intentional motherhood,” I just mean making choices on purpose—not out of habit, pressure, or autopilot. It’s about slowing down long enough to ask, “Is this actually working for us?”—and being brave enough to do things differently when it’s not.
I’m so glad you’re here.
Raising little readers in a screen-obsessed world feels like trying to sell broccoli at a candy store. But it can be done—and it’s worth it.
A couple of weeks ago, I was picking up a book at Barnes & Noble when I spotted a little girl, maybe three years old, sitting in the kids’ section. She was at a table, surrounded by thousands of books practically begging to be opened—and yet, she was watching a show on a tablet. Her guardian sat nearby, scrolling through her phone like it was an Olympic event.
No judgment here. I don’t know what kind of day they were having—maybe it was one of those days. I’ve had plenty myself. Some days, screen time is the only thing standing between me and total mom meltdown. Survival mode is real.
Still, it made me sad. It felt like a snapshot of what happens when screens sneak in and take over the spaces meant for wonder, boredom, and imagination in childhood. Raising readers isn’t just about books—it’s about building curiosity, attention, and a deep connection to stories that lasts a lifetime. In our screen-saturated world, it takes serious intention to steer a different course.
In our family, we’re low screens, not no screens. No permanent TV in the living room, no tablets tucked into backpacks “just in case,” no using shows as a daily babysitter. Most days, screens don’t even come up because we’ve developed a culture of books as a replacement for screens. But we’re not screen purists either—catch us on a rough Wednesday afternoon, and you’ll probably find us sprawled on the couch watching Raya and the Last Dragon for the 18th time.
My husband works 100% online and is occasionally found typing one-handed emails while building LEGO superheroes. I use my phone (as sparingly as possible) for things like grocery orders, school emails, setting up playdates, and using doctor Google to figure out if I need to bring Bennett in for a bug bite (any other first-time moms here??) I wrote about deleting all my social media—more on that here. Occasionally, I pull out an educational video as part of a learning activity, but other than that, screens aren’t part of our regular rhythm.
And listen, I get it—screens can be the parenting lifeline you didn’t know you needed. Some seasons of motherhood call for survival mode, and that’s something to honor, not feel guilty about. But when you feel ready—when life feels a little less like a tornado and a little more like a gentle breeze—here are some ideas to help replace screens with books—and to build a family culture where reading is part of everyday life.
Oh, and one last thing— When I say “reading” in these early years, I don’t mean your toddlers and preschoolers already know how to actually “read” by sounding out words. I mean flipping through books, looking at pictures, and sharing stories together—sometimes with us reading aloud, sometimes with them exploring the pictures and making sense of it in their own way.
Okay, here we go.
How to Encourage Reading For a Low-Screen, Bookish Family
Bookify Your Environment
Make books as accessible as snacks. Easy to grab, always within reach. Set up cozy, reachable book nooks in every room you can.
We keep baskets of books by every couch and in every room! I also love using Montessori-style bookshelves that display the covers. It’s easier for little hands to pick what they want, and it makes rotating books simple.
Instead of dumping every book you own onto shelves, keep a small selection out and swap them regularly. Rotating books keeps things fresh, exciting, and way less overwhelming for kids.
Model It
Let them see you reading.
I love a Kindle, too, but this is a good time to pick up a hardcover or paperback so there’s no confusion: you’re reading a book, not a screen. Read while they play, read while they snack, read while they complain that they’re bored (more on that later).
When they see real books in your hands—instead of a screen—they learn that you don’t need a screen to fill every quiet moment, either.
Yes to Audiobooks
Audiobooks are the best-kept secret of low-screen parenting.
We listen to stories on Spotify, Libby, the Books app—you name it. We also have a Yoto player, and I’ve fully invested in Yoto cards because they’re such a game-changer for screen-free storytelling.
We use them in the mornings when I want to drink my coffee while it’s still hot, during independent play, in the car, and often before bed (so I can do my self-care routine without interruption).
Pair audiobooks with sensory play—like Play-Dough, puzzles, or art—and suddenly you’ve got an hour of peaceful, screen-free play.
Make Books the Default Entertainment
Let books be the boredom cure.
Every day around 2 or 3 p.m., Bennett shows up and says, “Mama, I’m bored! What should I doooooo?” And every day, I say, “Go outside and play, read a book, or I’ll find you a job.”
Sound harsh? I don’t think so. In my mind, “I’m bored” is a green light to go full old-school parenting. (If he were older, I’d be tempted to say he can’t come back inside until the streetlights turn on—but he’s four, so… not yet. 😂)
Boredom is a skill. It’s uncomfortable for a few minutes, and then it forces growth.
If you’re new to a low-screens lifestyle, it might be more than just a few uncomfortable minutes. It might look like a full-blown meltdown. I know—this parenting thing isn’t easy. But keep going. Treat these moments as opportunities to exercise their boredom muscle. Exercise feels hard in the moment, but you’re always glad you did it afterward.
When you feel the pull to “give in” and turn on the TV, remember: working through boredom helps kids build resilience. It teaches them they can figure things out, even when it’s hard.
Since you’ve already filled your home with books, you don’t need to rescue them from boredom with screens. Let them wander, get curious, and offer an audiobook or a Yoto story if they need a little nudge.
Just don’t rush to fill the gap with a screen.
Follow Their Interests
Say yes to dinosaurs, trucks, and fairies (or whatever they are into) on repeat.
Early on, I had this fantasy that Bennett would only read beautiful, slow books about nature, because I love those kinds of children’s books. Reality check: if he even suspects a book involves a quiet woodland animal frolicking through the forest, he’s out.
Now, it’s Spidey Makes a Splash and Construction Site Mission: Demolition! on heavy rotation. And honestly? I’m okay with it because following his interests fuels his love for books.
The goal isn’t to curate their taste—it’s to spark their excitement. A kid who feels seen and inspired in what they love will be a kid who develops a love of books and reading.
Create Rhythms That Invite Reading
Embed books into your daily rhythm.
Reading isn’t a “special” activity—it can be part of the ordinary flow. Snack time, post-nap time, after outdoor play, before bed
In our house, we have little rituals like “Smoothie Book,” where we drink our morning smoothies and read together, and “Green-Light Time,” where we wind down at night with books. Books help ease transitions, calm overstimulated little brains, and offer easy moments of connection.
My favorite part? Let them pick the book. Let them lead the conversation. Watch their faces light up when you ask about their favorite character or why they think the dragon needed a new friend. Reading isn’t just about books—it’s also about building connection.
You don’t have to overhaul your life to raise readers. You don’t need a perfect system, a giant home library, or endless free time. You need small, steady moments that say: “Books matter here.” Little by little, those moments stack up. Before you know it, you’ll have a home where books are part of the everyday noise, in the best possible way. And some seasons will feel messy. There will be weeks when screens sneak in more than you want. That’s normal—and it doesn’t undo the culture you’re building. You’re doing great, Mama.
Thanks for reading,
Enjoyed this?
Feel free to share this post with a fellow parent looking for more books and fewer screens. And if you’re new here, you can subscribe to Nurture Notes to get more real-life ideas for intentional motherhood.
I’m Cadence, and Nurture Notes is where I share ideas for intentional motherhood, low-screen living, and building a connected family culture. Here are some of my most popular posts for you to explore further.
More for you to explore:
I LOVED this. A low-screen, high-book (lol) home is something I aspire to have. Question: do you have any audiobooks you recommend for toddlers? My 3yo is very active and I’ve never seen her actually follow an audio story or podcast before - we have a Yoto but maybe our cards are too advanced for her. Would love to hear if you have recs! Thanks!
this is practical and easy to follow! we have an 8 month old, and he definitely sees us using our phones, laptops and tablets but we have yet to put anything on for him. trying to model HEALTHY tech use while also not really putting anything on for him specifically.