Don’t fight
screen time, embrace it

Kids earn the screen time they want

by building the reading habit they need.

We’re On A Mission

Read2Play’s focus is to change the way children interact with technology, using their screen time as a tool to build better habits, stronger minds, and deeper connections with the people in their lives.

A Digital Tug-of-War

The screentime struggle is real.

We’re not just seeing a dip in reading scores—we’re watching a growing divide.

Research shows (NAEP 2022/2024) that as screen time increases with age and time, literacy remains flat or declines.

Kids ages 5 to 8 spend around 3½ hours a day on screens

By age 14, that number nearly triples to 9 hours, driven by short-form videos, gaming, and social media.

Yet only 15 minutes a day is spent reading for pleasure.

As a result, two-thirds of U.S. students still read below grade level, with more than a third below even basic benchmarks.

While technology races ahead, too many children are falling behind in the one skill that shapes everything else: literacy.

Parents are exhausted.

Teachers are overwhelmed.

Kids are left with tools that deliver content, but don’t change behavior.

Screentime Grows. Proficiency Doesn’t.

The Read2Play™ Habit-Change Journey

Discover

...what’s pulling kids into passive screen time and flip the reward loop so learning comes first.

Engage

...kids into quick, skill-based challenges that adapt to their level, pace, and focus —so they want to keep going.

Reward

...effort- not scores - earns rewards in real time, whether it's more screen time, outings, game nights, or sleepovers.

Grow

...gradually. Shifting away from passive screen time increases over time, helping kids naturally step away from screens, freeing time for real-world connections.

The Benefits of Read2Play™

Smooth Transitions, Less Conflict

Kids don’t face sudden shutdowns. Countdown alerts give them time to save progress, say goodbye to friends, and shift into reading without meltdowns. Parents win back calm evenings.

Parents Choose the Rewards

Screen time is one option, but not the only one. Families can set their own motivators—like game nights, outings, or sleepovers—so rewards feel personal and flexible.

Effort Matters as Much as Answers

We celebrate consistency, not just perfection. Read2Play rewards kids for showing up, focusing, and sticking with it—even when it’s hard.

Flexible for Real Life

Every child learns differently. Whether they need extra patience, live with ADHD or dyslexia, or simply thrive on structure, Read2Play adapts to their pace and progress.

Habits That Stick

The goal isn’t just today’s reading—it’s tomorrow’s love of learning. By linking effort to rewards, kids build habits they’ll carry long after the app.

As screen time increases, reading proficiency doesn’t keep up. By 8th grade, students average nearly 9 hours of screen time per day...

-- NAEP 2022/2024, Common Sense Media 2023

Web Designer

...Only 30% [of students] read at or above a proficient level, and one-third fall below even basic benchmarks.

NAEP 2022/2024, Common Sense Media 2023

Web Designer

As screen time increases, reading proficiency doesn’t keep up. By 8th grade, students average nearly 9 hours of screen time per day.

-- NAEP 2022/2024, Common Sense Media 2023

Web Designer

"More than two-thirds of U.S. students now read below grade level."

— National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2022

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John Doe

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Mike Doe

Leaning Into Bad Habits to Create Better Ones

Read2Play™ leans into the digital pull without the fights or the guilt.

Read2Play™ turns the love of screen time into a tool for learning. Using short, rewarded tasks to create lasting educational habits, Read2Play™ builds confidence through education, no nagging required. Read2Play™ supports parents and teachers by making learning feel like play, building habits that last.

“More than two-thirds of U.S. students now read below grade level.”

— National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2022

Funds Raised

85%

How You Can Help Shape Read2Play™

We need your help

Whether you’re a parent, educator, developer, investor, or simply curious, we’d love your input.

Educators, Parents & Students

Share your educational goals and needs at home or in the classroom.

Investors & Business Minds

Offer insights on positioning, traction, and business fit to help sharpen our early-stage strategy and attract meaningful investment when ready.

Inclusive Educators

Tell us what tools and features would best support your diverse learners.

Developers & Designers

Advise on UX, MVP, and technical challenges — or help us shape the right development team for future growth.

Advocates & Journalists

Help us spread the word about reshaping screen time for good.

Why Read2Play is different

Other Apps

Most apps rely on badges, points, or leaderboards to keep kids engaged. The motivation is temporary, and once the novelty wears off, habits slip back into old patterns.

Read2Play™

Instead of virtual tokens, Read2Play ties learning to rewards kids actually care about—like their own screen time or family-chosen incentives. By rewarding real effort and consistency, kids form habits that last.

Complete Project

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Customer Satisfaction

0 %

Why I Created Read2Play™

I created Read2Play because, like so many parents, I was stuck in the endless battle over screen time. I didn’t want to be the bad guy, constantly taking devices away — but I also didn’t have the time or energy to police them every minute. Honestly? Sometimes I needed them on screens just so I could get things done. But the guilt that came with that… it was huge. I kept wishing they were getting more out of that time, that something was actually helping them learn or grow instead of just zoning out. Then one day I heard this NPR segment about how reading levels across the country were dropping, and it hit me hard: my own kids were part of that statistic. That’s when I thought: Why isn’t there something out there that could turn screen time into something better? And hey — why couldn’t I make that happen? That’s how Read2Play was born: a system designed to work with kids’ love of devices, not against it — slipping in real learning moments, building healthy habits, and helping parents ditch the guilt without sacrificing their own sanity.

Real Questions from Real Families

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What exactly is Read2Play™?

It’s an educational app that pauses entertainment until short, meaningful learning tasks are completed — verified by AI — so kids earn back their screen time through effort.

Why does this work?

Research shows that small, consistent behavior nudges — reinforced over time — are far more effective at creating lasting change than sudden restrictions or punishments. (For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights the value of positive reinforcement and consistent structure in developing healthy media use habits, and behavioral science studies emphasize the power of tiny habit loops over time.)

Can I set my own reading goals?

One of the best things about Read2Play™ is that goals and plans can be personalized to fit each child’s needs and skill level. Parents can choose to share progress updates with themselves, teachers, or even specialized instructors — whoever supports the child’s learning — but the child is never shown these progress reports directly. Instead, they simply experience positive, encouraging feedback from the AI companion, helping them feel safe, motivated, and eager to keep going, all while earning back their screen time. And along the way, meaningful habits are quietly and effectively being built.

What happens if my child doesn’t meet their goal?

Read2Play™ is designed to encourage, not punish. If a child doesn’t meet their goal, the app simply pauses access to entertainment content on that device — but here’s the key: it doesn’t lock them out forever. Whenever they come back, Read2Play is ready to guide them gently into a short, manageable learning moment before they return to what they were doing.

This works through small, repeated habit rewiring: maybe just 3 minutes of reading at first, then gradually building to 5, then 7 minutes over time. It’s a slow, positive buildup designed to help children shift from unproductive digital use (like endless mobile games or social media scrolling) to balanced, goal-driven screen habits — without punishment or drama.

Of course, no app can control every moment (we know kids may switch to another device or keep playing with friends on mobile platforms), but Read2Play offers a key behavioral lever that fits alongside household rules and broader parenting strategies.Tip: Don’t stress if progress feels small at first — research shows that tiny wins stack up over time, creating stronger and longer-lasting habits than big, dramatic changes.

Will this work on all devices?

Read2Play™ is designed to work across most major devices, including smartphones, tablets, and other mobile platforms commonly used by children. However, because no single app can control every device or system a child might access, we recommend using Read2Play alongside your family’s broader screen-time rules.

Our goal isn’t to “lock down” every screen, but to help shape positive habits on the devices children use most — gradually rewiring their digital routines and encouraging balance, one small win at a time.

Does Read2Play™ work for kids with learning differences?

Absolutely. Read2Play™ was designed with flexibility in mind to support a wide range of learning needs, including children with learning differences like ADHD, dyslexia, or other challenges.

The app allows parents and educators to personalize tasks and goals to match each child’s unique abilities and pace. Plus, the AI companion focuses on delivering positive, encouraging feedback — never negative reinforcement or pressure — so children feel safe, supported, and motivated, no matter where they’re starting from.

We’re also continuing to develop additional accessibility features and welcome feedback from families and educators to help make Read2Play even more inclusive. Tip: If your child has unique learning needs, adjust Read2Play’s tasks and goals to match their abilities. Small, personalized steps can help build confidence and keep the experience positive and rewarding.

What’s the difference between this and other reading apps?

Other apps offer points or badges. We offer real screen time — the reward they actually want. And we make sure they’re the ones really earning the time.

Why Does This Approach Work

Studies show small, consistent reinforcements work better than big punishments, helping kids form real, lasting change over time.

Research shows that small, consistent behavior nudges, reinforced over time, are far more effective at creating lasting change than sudden restrictions or punishments.
For example:

The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes positive reinforcement and clear, consistent structure to help build healthy media use habits.
Behavioral science research shows that forming “tiny habit loops” over time can reshape routines and increase long-term success.
Child development experts highlight that kids are more motivated when they experience success through small wins, not when overwhelmed by big, abstract goals.
Read2Play builds on these proven ideas, combining a positive feedback loop with fun, manageable tasks to help shift habits gently but effectively.

Tip: Don’t stress if progress feels small at first. Research shows that small wins stack up over time, creating stronger and longer-lasting habits than big, dramatic changes.