OTT 243: How to Make Reading More Fun Than Screen Time: 3 Simple Strategies for Struggling Readers

Ever noticed how your child lights up for screen time but groans at the sight of a book?

The secret lies in brain chemistry. When children feel emotionally connected to reading, their brains release dopamine—the exact same reward chemical triggered during screen time. The key isn't forcing books or demonizing screens; it's creating reading experiences that naturally produce those feel-good chemicals kids crave.

In this episode, I reveal three game-changing strategies that transform reading from a static activity into an adventure that rivals the most engaging apps and games. First, we explore how to bring books to life through interactive storytelling—using dramatic voices, sound effects, and character participation to create immersive experiences that captivate young minds. You'll discover simple techniques to turn your living room into a stage where stories leap off the page.

Next, we dive into tech-free reading hacks that boost focus and inject fun into any book. Something as simple as creating a blanket fort reading nook or using a flashlight for "mission impossible" reading sessions can completely transform how children perceive books. I share real examples from my experience as a media specialist, where changing just one aspect of the reading environment made students eager to return to our book club week after week.

Finally, I introduce you to Makerspace book challenges—an innovative approach that extends stories beyond the final page. Learn how to create STEM challenges based on problems faced by book characters, allowing children to design solutions using simple materials while developing critical thinking skills. This strategy creates a natural "next level" experience that screens typically offer but books traditionally lack.

Ready to help your child fall in love with reading, one joyful page at a time? Try these strategies tonight, and don't forget to download your free Communication STEM Story Station resource below. Together, we're building confident, joyful readers—readers in the making—who choose books not because they have to, but because they want to.

🎁 Grab my FREE Communication STEM Story Station to bring a book to life! 👉 https://trina-deboree-teaching-and-learning.kit.com/280adbdf11

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix, and if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast, and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!