Why Reading to a Non-Verbal Child Matters—for Them and for You - Steph Katsovi

Steph Katzovi, middle-grade author and former Deloitte speechwriter, shares how:• Storytelling builds empathy and self-awareness in children.• Parents can create meaningful connections even when their child doesn’t talk back.• Humor disarms stress, fosters bonding, and adds lightness to difficult routines.• Reading aloud—even without expecting a response—can become a lasting gift.• Her own children’s personalities helped shape her characters and stories.Claudie explains:• How a parent’s voice—especially during reading—releases serotonin in the child’s brain, helping them feel calm, focused, and safe.• The role of dopamine when parents laugh and smile, and why joy is neurologically contagious.• That these brain benefits apply whether a child is an infant or a non-verbal teen—what matters most is emotional tone and connection.Episode Highlights10:30 – “When you see people really listening to a story you wrote—especially one that’s personal—you realize it’s not about being funny or impressive. It’s about connecting.” – Steph13:00 – Claudie and Kim explain how non-verbal children benefit from hearing expressive voices at home, even if they don’t respond.22:30 – Kim: “Bedtime stories aren’t just beautiful—they help the brain. They literally release serotonin.”24:05 – Claudie explains that hearing a parent’s voice calms the brain and aids learning, regardless of the child’s age or verbal ability.27:15 – Steph: “Even if they didn’t understand what I was saying, I hoped they heard the love in my voice.”29:15 – Claudie: “Even fake laughter releases dopamine. When you pretend to be funny, you’re literally rewiring your child’s brain for joy.”30:30 – Kim and Steph discuss how reading funny books helps parents tune into their child’s sense of humor and reduce morning stress.32:20 – Steph: “I woke my kids up with rhyming songs… same melody, different words each day. Humor helped defuse the pressure.”37:15 – Steph: “There’s always a place for humor. Used well, it can be more powerful than a serious message.”44:37 – Steph reflects on Gandhi’s quote: “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” and how joy and compassion ripple outward through small acts.