How to Build a Family Reading Habit: The 5B's for a Book-Friendly Home

Does reading feel like another task on your family's to-do list? Between screens, busy schedules, and after-school activities, and packed schedules, books can easily take a backseat. But what if reading became a natural, enjoyable part of your family's daily routine—without battles or bribes?

In this Episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, host Ellen Westbrook introduces the 5B's framework—five simple strategic ways to make books visible, accessible, and irresistible to kids. Whether you're dealing with time constraints or screen competition, this episode will help you create a book-friendly home that invites reading at every turn.

You'll learn:

☑️ The 5B's Framework—Five key places to stash books that spark spontaneous reading

☑️ How to create a realistic family reading routine (yes, even with a busy schedule!)

☑️ How books can speak to your child's love language and build stronger connections

☑️ Tips for setting up a cozy book nook that your kids won't want to leave

By the end of this episode, you'll be read to make small, practical changes that lead to big reading wins for your whole family.

🔗Prefer to Read?📖: Check out the full blog post here!

 📺 Prefer to Watch? Catch the video version here: https://youtu.be/QMgKutp-Dqc

⏳ Key Episode Highlights
[00:00:50] Why a family reading culture matters

[00:02:14] The Five Love Languages & Reading – Strengthening family bonds through books

[00:03:43] Creating a family reading routine

[00:04:50] Why book visibility is key 

[00:06:40] The 5B’s Framework in action – Five strategic locations to place books in your home to create an irresistible invitation to read.

[00:13:02] Setting up a cozy book nook – Choosing the right location, lighting, and comfort to make reading a more enjoyable experience.

[00:15:23] The power of small changes – How small shifts in accessibility, routines, and reading spaces can completely change your child’s relationship with books.

[00:16:06] Sneak peek of next episode on picking the right books

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Chapters

• 0:50 Why books often take a backseat
• 2:14 The Five Love Languages & Reading
• 3:43 Creating a family reading routine
• 4:50 Why book visibility is key
• 6:40 The 5B's Framework in action
• 13:02 Setting up a cozy book nook
• 15:23 The power of small changes
• 16:06 Sneak peek of next episode

Transcript

[00:00:00] Welcome to the Engaging Reluctant Readers podcast. I'm Ellen Westbrook, your host and Recovering Reluctant Reader. Together, we'll tackle reading roadblocks with personalized strategies and out of the box ideas, all while rediscovering the joy of family reading fun. Ready to transform your child's view of reading from dread to must be read?

[00:00:18] Let's dive into today's episode.

[00:00:25] Just a heads up, I wanted to let you know that each episode comes with a full blog post packed with extra tips and resources, so just check the episode description below for the link.

[00:00:34] Reading has the power to bring families closer, spark imaginations, and create lifelong learners. But let's be real. Fitting it into a busy family schedule isn't always easy. Between technology, after school activities, and the whirlwind of daily life, books can easily take a back seat. 

[00:00:50] In today's episode, we'll talk about how to make reading feel like a natural and enjoyable part of your family's life.

[00:00:56] From displaying books in engaging ways to setting up routines and creating a cozy book nook, I'll introduce you to the 5Bs framework, a simple, practical system for keeping books front and center in your home and on the go, no matter how hectic life gets. Stick around and we'll turn reading into that habit your family will love.

[00:01:14] So how do you make reading a natural part of your family's life? It all starts with creating an environment where books and stories feel like a regular, enjoyable part of the day, not just something kids are required to do for school. 

[00:01:25] Why is this so important? Building a habit takes time, but once it's in place, it's hard to break and you'll get less pushback from your kids.

[00:01:32] It also ensures that they're exposed to reading outside of school where book selection isn't always in their control. By creating a family culture around reading, you'll be able to expose them to more positive reading experiences and give them a better outlet for reading for pleasure.

[00:01:47] Modeling a love of reading is just as important.

[00:01:50] When your kids see you reading for fun, whether it's a novel, a magazine, or even a recipe, it shows them that reading isn't just something that you do for school, as an assignment. It's a form of entertainment. Plus, it highlights reading as a tool for lifelong learning and growth. 

[00:02:04] Creating a family reading culture where everyone is involved is so important because books and reading can speak to the five love languages and in return, create a stronger bond in your relationship with your child. 

[00:02:14] If you've never Heard of The Five Love Languages, this was a concept originally introduced by marriage counselor Gary Chapman. In his book, the Five Love Languages, the Secret to Love That Lasts, and then later he expanded on it in the Five Love Languages of Children, the Secret to Loving Children Effectively.

[00:02:30] Let's take a quick look at each love language and how it connects books and reading. 

[00:02:34] Quality time. Quality time is all about giving your child your undivided attention. This could mean reading together, whether it's sharing the same book or just being in the same space with each of you enjoying your own book. It's about being present and making the experience feel special.

[00:02:50] Physical touch is just as simple as cuddling up with a blanket and a story. Even older kids still love the feeling of closeness during shared reading time, proving that no one's ever too old for a good cozy read [00:03:00] aloud. 

[00:03:01] Acts of service. Acts of service means doing something for your child, like reading to them.

[00:03:06] For struggling readers especially, this takes the pressure off and allows them to simply enjoy the story without having to worry about the mechanics of reading. 

[00:03:13] Receiving gifts. Books make amazing gifts, whether it's a special one tied to their interests or a fun tradition like our holiday book advent where the boys get one book a day leading up to Christmas. It's one of our favorite traditions. It shows that reading is something that is to be celebrated and can be enjoyed year round. 

[00:03:30] Words of affirmation. Words of affirmation are all about encouragement. Praise is critical for boosting your child's reading confidence. Praise their effort, celebrate their progress, and let them know how much you enjoyed the time spent together.

[00:03:43] Now let's talk about some practical tips when it comes to creating a family reading culture. Creating a reading routine. that fits your family is key. I want you to pick consistent times, like after dinner, or on the way to school, or before bed. Definitely start small. Five, ten minutes a day is plenty to begin with, and you can always build from there.

[00:04:03] Just continue with multiple short reading sessions throughout the day. Reading for ten minutes, three times a day, is just as effective as reading for thirty straight. This works especially well if you're always on the go. Just look at your schedule and think, where can I find at least five to ten minutes to enjoy reading with my kid?

[00:04:20] After you've found one block of time, you'll find it gets easier and easier to spot these reading opportunities. Not only to read with your child, but for yourself too. 

[00:04:28] Which brings me to modeling reading for your kids. Let them catch you reading. Talk about what you're reading. Even if it's just a email or something you're browsing on the web, just be sure to keep the spicy reading for after they're in bed because I don't know about you.

[00:04:43] I don't want to get into it.

[00:04:45] Making reading a routine is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to fostering a supportive reading environment. Keeping books front and center in the home is critical in this day and age. The more prepared and accessible you make books, the easier it becomes to make reading part of your routine.

[00:05:00] Let's face it, books are in constant competition with technology, and I won't lie, technology plays a prominent role in my house too, so no judgment here. 

[00:05:10] But, how do we make books a viable contender? Visibility and accessibility are key. If kids don't see books often, or technology is the easier, closer option, they're less likely to pick up a book. 

[00:05:22] Now, I'm gonna go into a bit of business theory here, but I promise it applies. I wanna talk about the “Rule of Sevens.” Research shows that it takes seeing something multiple times before we're motivated to take action.

[00:05:33] In the business world, that means buying. For books, this means the more often your kids see and touch them, the more likely they are to engage with them. 

[00:05:42] So let's cover some practical tips. I want you to spread books throughout the house, instead of keeping them all in one place. Think about it. How would you feel when trying to choose one book out of, let's say, a hundred, versus looking at a batch of 15 to 25?

[00:05:56] That's way less overwhelming, wouldn't you agree? Let the book covers do the work for you. In fact, children's book covers in particular were designed to be visually engaging to draw young readers in. To take advantage of this, opt for forward facing displays like acrylic floating bookshelves or a canvas sling bookshelf and baskets.

[00:06:15] Lastly, I want you to keep things fresh. Rotating the books on a regular schedule is going to do that for you. 

[00:06:22] In our house, we consistently read together at bedtime, but that's usually my husband or I reading to our boys. By spreading books around the house, we've seen a huge boost in our boys independent reading.

[00:06:32] Yes, we've even caught Hunter, the kindergartner, practicing with his old toddler books. 

[00:06:36] Plus, it's helped reduce screen time, especially after school. 

[00:06:40] Now, I'm going to introduce you to the five B's. This is my favorite framework for keeping books accessible and engaging. The 5B's are five strategic places to store books, making them visible, accessible, and part of your family's daily life, allowing you to create an invitation to read.

[00:06:57] The first area is the breakfast table. This is a great space to incorporate books. It allows you to start the day off with reading instead of technology. If you'd like to use this space to promote independent reading, consider stocking this area with short stories or fact books. The number one thing you want to remember is to keep book choices light and easy, with clear stopping points.

[00:07:16] This will help prevent meltdowns, which if you have busy hectic mornings, is definitely something you want to avoid. But don't let breakfast fool you. That's not the only time books can make an appearance in this area. Books can Come to the table for snack or other mealtimes to encourage discussion. This is also a great opportunity to read books that teach a lesson.

[00:07:36] Now another idea is you can toss out some cookbooks and let kids flip through them to help with meal planning. They can find recipes they'd like to try or this can even be a great way to get them excited about helping you with meal prep in the kitchen. 

[00:07:48] Our second area, the bathroom. As kids continue to get older and more skilled at reading, the bathroom is a great place for kids to explore books independently, away from prying eyes.

[00:07:59] It's a low-pressure environment where they can practice reading without feeling judged or put on the spot. Books here should be lightweight and easy to handle. Think joke books, quick reads, or guides about personal hygiene and other life skills. It's also the perfect spot to leave books that answer tricky questions about the human body or emotions, which kids might feel too shy to ask about.

[00:08:19] For example, this is an area that's going to be a primary focus the next time I shop for new books, as we begin having deeper conversation with our oldest in preparation for the big P, puberty. Now, I completely understand if reading in the bathroom has a bit of an ick factor for you, and that's okay. But if it works for your family, the bathroom really can be a great spot for independent reading in a judgment free zone.

[00:08:42] Sidenote, if you have younger kids, especially those in the potty-training phase, books can be a great incentive to get them to sit still a bit longer to take care of business.

[00:08:51] This brings us to our third B. Baskets, bins, and bookshelves. As I mentioned earlier, spreading books throughout your home can increase visibility and reduce overwhelm. I want you to strive to place them in any high traffic areas around the home. Especially those areas where technology isn't. But this doesn't mean you should overlook the opportunity to put a bench or beanbag in the corner of a hallway if you have the room.

[00:09:11] In our home we have this extra-large landing space at the top of our stairs that would be great for a large plant. But since I have a history of killing multiple cactuses or cacti, I've opted for a comfy chair that we pulled out at JD's room when we changed things around and put a basket of books next to it.

[00:09:27] Instant reading corner to send them to while I finish getting ready in the morning. 

[00:09:31] Here's another tip I want you to consider. Whatever you do, try to avoid piles of books. Chances are they won't look beyond the top one. You'll notice if it's starting to collect dust. 

[00:09:41] And don't overfill baskets or bins. You want to keep them easy to thumb through. 

[00:09:46] Fourth B, the bedroom. Reading can be a great activity to include in your nightly wind down. In fact, studies have shown it reduces cortisol levels, allowing for better, more restful sleep. I think it's safe to say our little energizer bunnies could use the best sleep possible.

[00:10:01] Reading at bedtime has become a staple for us. When the boys were little, we started out with reading at the dinner table and at bath time. The highchair and tub were great for keeping our audience captive and captivated. But now that they're older, I'm so glad that we've moved story time to the last piece of our evening routine, just before we sing them a song and kiss them goodnight.

[00:10:20] The bedroom offers an ideal opportunity for shared reading, really making it a great time to bond, either together as a family or one on one. Sometimes we make it a full family affair, but mostly my husband and I divide and conquer to cater to our boys’ varying interests and reading levels.

[00:10:34] We've enjoyed curling up beside them in bed and soaking up those snuggles. You never know when your last day of cuddles will be. 

[00:10:41] When deciding what books to keep in the bedroom, I recommend focusing on soothing bedtime stories or something that's going to leave them with a warm, fuzzy feeling of being safe and loved.

[00:10:50] As kids get older, you can move up to chapter books, reading a few chapters a night. At first, we kept the subject matter pretty light or fantasy based with JD, but as he started to push back on these reading experiences, we decided to expand to anything he found interesting. 

[00:11:06] I recently got him hooked on the I Survived series, and I won't lie, I'm enjoying them a lot myself.

[00:11:11] Historical fiction really takes me back to a lot of my childhood favorites, before I started seeing reading as a chore. 

[00:11:17] Bottom line, you have to test and see what's too scary, funny, deep, fact heavy for your kiddo. But a good rule of thumb is to avoid books that are too interactive or stimulating, which could amp them up, making it harder to get them to go to sleep. Definitely not something we're looking for.

[00:11:33] Now, if you're in a single parent household juggling multiple kids, or if your partner has a work schedule that leaves you solo at bedtime, consider finding a good family read aloud book that falls somewhere in between their reading levels.

[00:11:44] Or take advantage of audiobooks. For younger kids, you can pair an audiobook with a picture book, and they can follow along. For older kids, you can create a ritual of setting them up with their audiobook and either checking in with them after you finish with their younger sibling, or following up the next day to discuss what they listened to.

[00:12:00] Which brings us to our fifth and final B, the backseat and or go bag. If you're constantly running all over and often out of the house with the kids, having books in the car or in your bag are a must. Having books as a ready option for commutes, errands, waiting in line, or even longer car rides can make this downtime feel productive and engaging.

[00:12:20] Now if you prefer to travel light, e-books are a great option and easy to access on your phone or tablet. I want you to remember, if you're driving, you're not available to read to them, so books need to be at their reading level. But what about those kids that refuse to read independently right now? Don't worry, I have you covered.

[00:12:36] Audiobooks help them experience the joy of storytelling without the overwhelm of having to decode words. That's the part where you have to break them down, piece them back together, and sound them out. Interactive storybooks and e-books that have the read-to-me option are great because they still get the benefit of reading along.

[00:12:52] Not to mention, you're bridging technology and reading together, so it's really a win-win for your kids. 

[00:12:59] Now that we've brought books front and center in your home and on the go with the five B's, let's talk about incentivizing reading for your reluctant reader by creating a space that's just begging them to curl up with a book and read.

[00:13:10] The goal is to create a space your child will gravitate toward. A cozy and inviting space with just the right touches can make reading feel fun and special. 

[00:13:18] Things you need to consider when creating a book nook include location, lighting, comfort, accessibility, and personalization. Now I can't stress this enough.

[00:13:26] Location, location, location. Pick a spot that's free from distractions, especially the TV or computer or any other tech. 

[00:13:34] Lighting. You need an area that's well lit. Consider natural lighting, so by a nearby window, or have a bright lamp nearby. Or if you really want to make it fun, get them a book light or a headlamp. Take my word for it. Eye strain does not make for an enjoyable reading experience. 

[00:13:49] Comfort. Consider a mini couch, a bean bag, pillows and blankets, or even a sleeping bag. And don't forget their favorite stuffies. We want this space to be cozy and fun. 

[00:13:59] Accessibility. You need to ensure that books are accessible inside their book nook.

[00:14:03] If they have to get up and move to the other side of the room, or worse, leave the room to grab a book, chances are that they'll get distracted and end up doing something else instead. So, this is a great place for a basket, bin, or bookshelf to be nearby. And when I say nearby, I mean within an arm's reach for your kid, not you. Your kid. 

[00:14:21] Personalization. Get them involved in the process. Let them decorate the nook with their favorite colors or themes, like dinosaurs or outer space. If they'd rather have a tent, let them pick one out. We recently got the boys ones that look like little castles, so get creative. Or, if you have the space, build a fort that you can change the design of from time to time.

[00:14:40] Lastly, if you're cool with snacks in this area, some tasty treats can go a long way in making this spot easy to say yes to. Just remember to clean it often to avoid any unwanted guests. 

[00:14:52] I'll be honest, we're still working on setting up a permanent book nook in our house. Most of our reading tends to happen in the boys’ rooms at bedtime. But I have noticed whenever we build a fort or pop up an indoor tent, they're quick to take a new read inside with them. 

[00:15:05] So, naturally, one of my goals for the new year is to clear out more space in their playroom to allow us to keep a more permanent structure up. Whether that's gonna be a tent or a fort I haven't quite decided.

[00:15:15] Ideally though I'll get it done before summer when they'll have more downtime at home. I'll be sure to share an update, as it all starts to come together. 

[00:15:23] Creating a reading-friendly home and lifestyle doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming. Start small. Pick one tip or strategy from this episode or focus on making one area of your home more reader-friendly. Then sit back, relax, and observe how it changes the reading dynamic in your home. 

[00:15:40] Remember, it's all about finding what works best for you. If mornings are chaotic, maybe the breakfast table isn't the right place to start. Perhaps reading on the go or winding down with a bedtime story is a better fit.

[00:15:52] Every small change you make is a step towards transforming reading into a natural and enjoyable part of your family's life. I'd love to hear about your successes and celebrate with you. Share your wins with me over on Instagram, @engagingreluctantreaders. All one word. 

[00:16:06] And speaking of small changes, in the next episode we'll focus on one of the biggest game-changers, how to find books your child will actually want to read.

[00:16:14] With the right strategies, we'll turn that dreaded, do I have to? into, can I read more? 

[00:16:20] Why wait? Press play on the next episode and learn how to make book choice a game changer for your reluctant reader.