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 Highlights

10:30 – “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.” – Steph

13:00 – 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.