Before we get into the how, let's talk about why this is worth the effort—because you need ammunition when your kid is throwing a tantrum because you dared to suggest a book instead of Blippi.

Reading with toddlers does things screens simply can't:

None of this means screens are evil or that you're ruining your kid. But the research is pretty clear: excessive screen time for toddlers is linked to language delays, attention issues, and sleep problems. Balance matters.

The fastest way to get books back in the picture? Take screens completely off the table for 3-5 days. I know, I know—this sounds impossible. But here's the thing: toddlers are experiencing a dopamine withdrawal when they're used to screens and suddenly they're not getting them. It's real, it's uncomfortable, and it passes surprisingly quickly.

The reset looks like this:

Can't do cold turkey? That's fine. The gradual approach works too, it just takes longer.

You're competing with algorithms here, so you need to make books exciting:

Some books that are basically toddler crack (in a good way):

Figure out when your toddler typically gets screen time, and put books in that exact slot.

The key is consistency. Toddlers are creatures of habit. If books become the new routine, they'll adapt faster than you think.

Toddlers love repetition because that's how they learn. When your kid wants Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site for the 87th time this week, they're not trying to bore you to death—they're doing exactly what their brain needs.

Pro moves for repeat reading:

This is the hard one. If you're scrolling while telling your toddler to look at books, they notice. They're not dumb.

Try this: When it's reading time, put your phone in another room. Not face-down on the couch. Another room. Model the behavior you want to see.

Some kids are going to push back harder than others. If your toddler is really dug in on screens, here are some troubleshooting moves:

Try audiobooks as a bridge - Libby has tons of free kids' audiobooks through your library. It's still a screen to access it, but the content is story-based and requires imagination. You can also try old-school CDs in the car.

Don't force it - If reading becomes a battle, everyone loses. Leave books around, read them yourself where they can see you, but don't make it a power struggle.

Acknowledge the feelings - "I know you really want the iPad. We're going to read books right now, and then we can play outside." Name it, validate it, hold the boundary.

Get other caregivers on board - If grandma's still handing over the phone every time she babysits, your efforts at home are getting undermined. Have the conversation.

Getting toddlers back to books after they've discovered screens is absolutely possible, but it requires intentionality. You're not going to accidentally stumble into a kid who loves reading—you have to create the conditions for it.

Start small. Pick one screen-time slot and replace it with books for a week. See what happens. Build from there.

And remember: you don't have to be perfect. Some screen time is fine. The goal isn't zero screens forever—it's balance, and making sure books have a real place in your kid's life.

Your toddler's brain is still forming. The habits you build now—the cozy bedtime stories, the library trips, the "just one more chapter"—those become the foundation for everything else. It's worth the effort, even when it's hard.

You've got this. And hey, if you need to put on Bluey so you can make dinner? That's fine too. Balance, not perfection.