How I Turned My Reluctant Readers into Bookworms (Without Banning Screens)

When we began homeschooling, my kids didn’t enjoy reading. In fact, it was really hard to get through a read-aloud when they were constantly asking to watch TV. I knew something had to change—not just for their academic growth, but for the atmosphere in our home.

So I did something uncomfortable:
I put my foot down.

Now don’t get me wrong—I’m not totally against electronics (sorry not sorry). But I realized I needed to teach habits, not just enforce rules. I scrolled through Instagram, studied other homeschool mom routines, and finally created a simple habit checklist for each child.

One key item on that list?
Reading.

They had two choices:

• Sit with me for 20 minutes while I read aloud

• Read independently for 20 minutes

Both kids chose the read-aloud option. At that point, neither was a confident reader yet—and sounding out every word can be exhausting. Listening gave them the chance to enjoy the story without the struggle, and it still counted toward screen time.

The Bookworm Wall That Took Over Our Living Room

As weeks went by, something clicked:
Reading became fun.

It turned into a contest. Who could read more? I even created a “Bookworm Wall” where every book we finished earned a colorful paper circle on the wall. That worm eventually wrapped around all four walls of our living room. It was tacky. It was wild. It was wonderful.

But you know what?
It got them reading.
And a win is a win, right?

Rewards That Keep the Habit Alive

Eventually, the Bookworm Wall lost its sparkle. So I swapped in a new system: rewards.
Every 10 books = a prize.
Sometimes they get to pick (hello, Five Below or ice cream trips).
Sometimes I surprise them. It doesn’t have to be big—they’re always thrilled, because they earned it.

Now that my oldest is into chapter books, we’ve started a Chapter Challenge. Every 5 chapters = a circle. Every 10 circles = a reward. Every 50 chapters = reward!. If I had been rewarded for reading like this as a kid, I might’ve loved it a lot more back then!

If you would like to see the reward chart that I have been using let me know!

How We Made Reading a Daily Habit

If you’re struggling with reluctant readers, here’s what worked for us:

1. Make Reading Part of the Daily Rhythm

We start our homeschool day with a read-aloud, which sets a peaceful, connected tone. I also integrate reading into science and history using related books or short articles. The goal is to make reading feel natural—not a chore.

2. Gamify the Experience

Reading challenges, rewards, and visual trackers (like our bookworm!) make the process fun. Friendly competition between siblings doesn’t hurt either!

3. Lead by Example

If you want your kids to love reading, let them catch you reading! I set aside quiet time during our day for all of us to read together. I share what I’m reading and talk about my favorite authors. It turns reading into a shared experience, not just schoolwork.

Let Books Be an Adventure

One of our favorite things now is visiting the library or bookstore together. I let the kids pick out books that interest them—no pressure. Just freedom and fun. These trips have become little adventures, and they help keep the excitement around books alive.