Inside: Find out the many benefits of reading daily to your special child.
Coming home from work tired, I get sleepy right after dinner. When my son was little, I tend to close my eyes as soon as I hit bed, so he would try to open my eyes for me to read to him. This was our bedtime routine, thus I tried to read at least one book to him.
You and l know that love for reading starts early during childhood. We, parents are the ones who need to inculcate in our children the beautiful habit of reading.
Even for our special kids, this habit of daily reading could be cultivated early on. Exploring books together with your special kid is one of the best forms of parental-child bonding, maybe second to playing with them. I assure you there are tons of benefits of reading everyday to your special child.
Of course, kids will always be kids. They enjoy 
time with their parents and caregivers. They will always feel safe when they are around with their beloved mom and dad, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or their nanny. Make reading to your special child a daily habit. He will always look forward to reading with you.
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What are the benefits of reading to your special child?
Even if your special child has delayed mental development, he will still enjoy sitting down with you or lying down in the bed with you. He will always tend to snuggle or hug you while listening to your story-telling.
So aside from just being happy together, there are lots of positive output that reading to your child will bring:
- A strong bond is developed between you and your special child.
- Your child will have a sense of security when he is there in the bed or chair with you.
- You are both able to explore the world, your town, province or country.
- He gradually forms a deep trust in you.
- He learns to appreciate that you are trying to help him improve or overcome his incapacities.
- Your special child will slowly increase his vocabulary.
- He gradually improves his language skills.
- His mental capability will be boosted.
- You are opening your child’s awareness to his surroundings, thus he learns coping skills.
- You are helping your child’s teacher in a way because your kid will be more receptive with lessons in school.
- Reading will develop your child’s imagination and creativity.
- He will learn to relax and quiet his mind during reading sessions with you.
Make reading together a habit
We learn easily when we do things again and again.
Your child with special needs will truly benefit from you when you make reading to him a habit and reading with him daily is the best thing!
Rather than make your child watch nursery rhymes on television or you tube day after day, develop the habit of reading to him instead at bedtime or just anytime that you feel he is receptive to listen to your story telling.
Making reading to him a daily thing will surely increase his trust in you and he will always look forward to that special time together.
Gradually, you are increasing his vocabulary and his understanding of his environment.
This special time will also make you feel that you are giving him a special part of you.
Enjoy reading with your child
Read aloud to your child.
Act out and speak out like the characters in the book that you are reading.
If you are reading a dialogue for an old lady, let your voice be slow and quivering. If you are reading a man’s dialogue, speak in a deep tone. You can even mimic some animals’ sounds. Surely your child will giggle and enjoy hearing your story.
You can even both dress up and mimic what the characters in the story look like. It will be fun for both of you. Your creativity will spark his imagination as well. You can do this in the weekend when you have time to plan things.
You yourself will feel very happy and at peace after these sessions. Your child’s laughter will wash away all the worries or stresses that you maybe experiencing at that moment. It will be so fulfilling seeing that sparkle in your child’s eyes knowing that you satisfied his excitement to learn from you.
Incorporate the assignments from school in your reading sessions
During homework time, start by reading to your child a good story book. This will develop his enthusiasm in doing his assignment.
Answering questions or completing his tasks that his teacher sent home will be a breeze if his brain is programmed to respond positively.
Encourage him to answer his homework by himself. Let him ask you questions as well or let him know that you can help him if he cannot answer the questions.
Guide him if you can, instead of giving him all the answers. This way, you are encouraging him to think and decide for himself what is the best answer.
His teacher will be very appreciative learning that you are there to help her encourage your child to learn each day.
Related post: Special Education Teaching-Facing Challenges and Feeling Fulfilled
Read various topics
To increase your special child’s vocabulary and develop his language skills, try to read a variety of topics from animals, cartoon characters, plants, school, home, family, food, etc.
After reading, talk about the story that you just read.
Ask him questions like, ” What part of the story did you like most? “, “Who is your favorite character? “, or ” What did you learn from the story?”
Encourage him to ask questions to you as well. This will also gauge if he understood the topic or not.
An inquisitive mind is open to more learning.
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Here are some awesome books for your special one.
Click the picture to buy!
Love You Forever
I would like to mention especially this book, Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch. This has been my favorite book ever since I read it to my son back when he was younger.
I have given away most of my son’s children’s books, but not this.
I’ve kept it and I read it again and again, even just by myself. It’s so beautiful and inspiring.
It tells about a mother’s love, which is unconditional and infinite, from birth up until the son grew old.
Love you Forever is so rich with moral lessons, especially about a mother’s love which was later on reciprocated by her son.
The story is so touching, you could’t help but cry after reading it because it’s so full of love and gratefulness.
Go grab this book, the very young and the old alike will truly appreciate it and be touched by this book.
Keep reading time short and sweet
A special child will have limited attention span, so plan to read short stories. Their intellectual capacities are also restricted, so they lose interest easily.
You might need to speak very slowly too, so he can understand every word and appreciate the story.
Don’t be upset when your child doesn’t decipher everything that you read to him. Keep in mind that he has delayed mental capabilities, so his brain is slow to digest.
Instead, always appreciate that he enjoys time with you even though he is learning slowly.
Plan on going to the library regularly
A trip to the library on a weekend or right after school on a certain day is something that you can develop with your special child.
This will teach him the value of reading regularly. Likewise, he will be exposed to different books and topics.
Let him choose what he wants you to read to him. This way, you will encourage him to explore.
Start with small books or short stories.
Picture books are awesome for small kids to begin with.
You yourself can also borrow your own books while visiting the library. Always find time to read, this is a very relaxing ” me ” time for you, my dear parents.
Introduce reading to your special child from birth
Reading to your newborn or a few months old special baby can certainly give benefits both to you and him.
You will develop a special bond right away aside from his feeding schedules.
His brain will be exposed very early to this stimulating activity and as he grows and develops, reading will aid in forming his language skills early on.
Your voice will soothe him to let him sleep good at night.
Developing that good habit of reading everyday will surely help him overcome his mental delay sooner because his brain will be rewired early.
As your child grows older, he would be learning to choose his favorite topic, author, or book.
All these because you have started to expose him early on and he has developed that habit of reading ( or listening to you while you read, if he has not learned reading by himself ).
Reap the benefits of reading everyday to your special child by starting early on!
Enroll in subscription boxes
One of the best ways to ensure that you sustain that excitement to read with your special child is to enroll in subscription boxes. This means that you get a book or books every month, sometimes with craft materials or costumes depending on what kind of subscription you buy.
There are various book subscriptions like books about animals, story books, craft books, etc. You will know what to subscribe, depending on your child’s age, interests, and capabilities as a child with special needs. It’s just like going to the bookstore every month, but instead these are delivered right in your doorstep. Click here to choose your book subscription for your little one.
Click the images below to buy!
Reading is always fun and educational
I hope I have inspired you, dear mom and dad to start reading to your special child now and continue this awesome bonding activity daily! He will grow up loving reading and learning to appreciate the world around him through the books that he reads.
Your special child will always feel secure and inspired to read with you, have fun and gain knowledge to his advantage.
Wishing you and your child happy reading!
Check out my favourite AMAZON picks for babies here.
Originally Published: June 13, 2018 Updated: June 27, 2024
When did you start reading to your special child? Are you reading to him everyday?
What is his favorite book about? Please share your story with us.
Reading is such an amazing and rewarding thing you can give to your child. I bought “My Baby Can Read” when he was only 8 months old. By the time he was 2, he could spell over 26 words and pick out what word you wanted out of 50 cards. We always read to him at night. He got to a point where he would read to us. Yes, sometimes he would make things up, but he was using his imagination and being creative. My grandson has severe autism, and his dad reads to him every night. It is during this time that he focuses and listens. He cannot talk, but you will know when its story time because he gets excited, but once the story starts, he calms down. I love this article. Thank you.
Hi Victoria,
You are a living testimony of what reading can do to our special kids, like your grandson with autism. I’m happy that his dad really takes time to read to him every night. It’s a beautiful bonding for them both, as well, his special son adds to his vocabulary and knowledge, even though he is non-verbal.
As well, for normal kids, reading develops their comprehension and communication skills, like your child whom you started reading at 8 months. Good job!
God bless,
Marita
Aww, such. a nice post. I loved every bit of it. As you said your special child has a limited time span, therefore reading short stories is beneficial. This is really true and informative. I have come across special children. They need extra care and support. I have also checked the suggested book sets they seem really nice. I would try them. Thanks for such a lovely article. Keep up the good work!!
Regards
Nouman
Hi Nouman,
Thanks for the nice words.
Indeed, special children are quite distracted and cannot focus, but they can enjoy reading with you everyday.
God bless,
Marita
Hello there,
Thanks for sharing this awesome article I know it would be of great help to the public as it has been of help to me. Reading is one of the activities to engage in as it has one of the best ways to stimulate the brain.
It also reduces stress and expands your level of knowledge, but it depends on what you read.
Hi,
Reading truly enhances the learning capability of our special kids, as well, it relaxes us and feeds our brains.
Cheers!
Marita
Thank you for an excellent article.
Everyone is told that reading is vital for children and their education. That is only part of the benefit other than educational benefits, there are the social and relationship benefits of reading together.
Like so, the parent-child bonding is enhanced if this becomes a daily activity for the family.
This article should be shown to all parents of young children.
Hello Castle,
Right, reading is so beneficial, both to the child and the parent.
Let us all make reading a daily habit.
And yes, start them young to develop the love of reading!
Marita
Hi Marita,
What a wonderful post to read. Some of the best memories of my own childhood were the special times we had as a family reading or being read to.
Both my parents were wonderful readers and they taught all of their children to have the love of reading and being read to.
My father was an incredible storyteller and I recall how we would beg him to sit with us after dinner and continue the ongoing story of the Brunton family he had made up, well he made it up on the fly, so to speak. Of course, the stories always had a good moral to it.
The love for us as children was truly expressed by our parents with the time they spent with all of us either reading or storytelling. I will always be grateful for the time they invested in us.
I can understand how much this means to any child, and especially a child who has any special needs.
My Mother also spent time reading to a blind lady in the community in which we lived.
Thank you for this heartwarming post. May you be blessed.
Hi Jill,
Love to hear your fun memories of reading and storytelling with your parents when you were younger.
Of course, all the lessons that you learned from them plus developing in you the habit of reading put you where you are now, a very good writer.
Definitely, our special kids enjoy reading or being read to as much as other normal kids.
God bless,
Marita
I totally agree with you on this.
It is quite a wonderful moment for every parent, when they are able to read their bedtime stories to their children, and then the kids do the same, this means they have developed the interest, skills and confidence to read the book for themselves.
I started reading to my boy when he couldn’t even understand what I was saying and now I can say I’m proud of his improved language skills and academic performance.
It has always been fun reading all my life
Reading with our kids not only enables us to offer the best bonding time with them but they do learn a lot and develop love for books and any reading material for that matter.
Starting them young like your son, gradually helps them enhance their language and vocabulary skills and lets them continue the habit of reading anytime and anywhere.
Thanks for visiting.
Marita
I would say one thing that facilitated special bond between I and my son other than playing games and disturbing his mom is reading together.
I happen to be an avid reader who loves to devour pages of well written books of any genre and this is what I have tried to inculcate well in him.
Now, he even brings suggestions of books for me so we can read together mostly in the evenings.
However, I think inculcating this habit into children generally help them to fondly enjoy our special times together.
Of course, reading together brings families closer, just like you and your son.
Nice to hear that he gives you suggestions already of books to read. That shows that he has growing interest in reading at this time. How old is your son?
God bless,
Marita
My mom is a retired teacher and she has always promoted special programs and techniques to help support and encourage kids in the learning process.
It’s very important to meet them where they are at and build a learning environment where they can enjoy it.
A child who likes to learn will flourish and build up educationally 100x more than other children.
Great site.
Hi Charity,
Glad to know that your mom is still active in promoting love for learning even though she is not actively working anymore.
For sure, learning while having fun is a very good technique so kids will always look forward to reading everyday.
Thanks for visiting.
Marita
Thank you for this useful guide and the reminder of why reading to our children is so important.
I was never read to when I was a child and now when I have my own children I make sure we read together every day, just like you suggested.
My twins love our reading time together and mostly want to contribute to the story. I let them because I think this encourages their creativeness and a better understanding of the story.
A couple days ago, they insisted on singing the story out loud. It takes patience to go through this but they are only 3.5 and it’s wonderful to see how much they enjoy themselves.
Hi Alenka,
I know, that would be lots of challenge, reading to 2 kids of the same age, but I’m sure it’s fun as well.
Letting them re-tell the story or letting them share how they feel about the story or what they understand about it surely makes you realize that they are listening and soaking up the lessons.
And singing the story out loud, wow, that means that they really enjoy reading with you, for them to be inspired to get to the next level of reading.
God bless,
Marita
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the importance of reading.
Reading to your child is so beneficial for cognitive and language development.
It is important for every child and those children with special needs are no different. I like how you listed all the various benefits, which are so numerous.
Hi Lee,
Yes, our kids, special or not, learn a lot from reading and starting them young prepares them really good for school when they are ready.
Have a nice day.
Marita
Nothing can ever beat reading.
It is very important for a parent to help develop a kid’s reading habits especially from a very young age as this would stay with them for a very long time.
As mentioned in this post apart from the child forming a good habit it can make the child become closer to the parent especially if you both act out the characters in fun books.
It is one of the best things you can do for a child.
Hi Jay,
I definitely agree, reading to them even if our kids are still babies will always have a positive impact on them and to us parents as well.
Thanks for visiting.
Marita
I used to hate reading since I was a kid until about 10 years ago… Since then, I am constantly with a book in my hands or I am reading articles about subjects which interest me online.
I have realized that I used to hate reading because my mother kept telling me that I “HAD” to read for school. It felt like I didn’t have a choice. But when I finished school and I got to pick what to read myself it turned out that I actually loved it.
Weird huh?
Hi Harry,
That’s a funny story, but I’m glad that you caught up on your love for reading.
I can definitely relate. I believe kids don’t like to be pushed around with their homework and reading, but as a parent myself to a pre-teen who loves video games more than reading, I just have to bug him with his schoolwork. I just hope that he realizes this later just like you.
Thanks for visiting.
Marita
This is true. If you start reading to your child at a very young age, it will become a pattern to them and they will gain extra knowledge as the months and years go by. Your child will have a better understanding on certain things and be able to do well in school. Teaching starts at home.
This was a great read thank you so much and all the best.
Aabidah
Hi Aabidah,
Truly, our kids learn first at home, so parents need to try to guide and encourage their kids to develop love for reading way before they start school.
Thanks for reading.
Marita
Good afternoon Marita,
I can only agree with you. Reading to a child, special or not, actually we are all special to our Mother, can be very beneficial. You pointed out all the good things that come from reading to your child on a daily basis.
I think all children, special or not, will greatly benefit from this.
I was lucky to have a Mother who did just that, read to me from an early age. I used to love it and as you said it activated my imagination. Hearing great stories I would use the information for painting or writing music. Later, when I could read myself I would devour books going on glorious trips.
When I went to school my vocabulary was big already, well advanced compared to the other children.
I grew up without a tv or computer games and am happy about that.
I also read your About Us. I can understand you miss your dear sister. She would be happy knowing you have made this website to help other parents with special children.
Regards, Taetske
Hi Taetske,
Right, reading everyday especially if started really early, like what your mom did to you, expands the child’s vocabulary and horizon.
Especially for children with special needs, even though they may learn slower than normal kids, they still get lots of benefits about learning and of course, more time together develops deep trust with that parent.
Yes, this website is dedicated to kids like my sister, who are luckier than she was, being able to attend the Special education programs.
Thanks for visiting!
Marita
Hi there Marita,
Thank you kindly for creating and sharing this article regarding the benefits of reading to our children with us all, it is appreciated.
I do feel that this article and the benefits are in regards to all children, special or not. Reading gives our children more exposure to language, and with our mixed race child myself and my partner alternate days and languages that we read to her in, we have been doing this since birth! and she is now completely fluent is both English and Vietnamese, and now adding in my second language. Hopefully she will become completely trilingual.
Never forget kids are like sponges, they absorb everything and have unlimited potential!
Hi Derek,
You are right, reading is beneficial to all kids, including children with special needs.
Your daughter is very lucky to have parents who know that reading will help their kids to fully develop mentally.
I salute you for letting your daughter learn both your languages with her mom and another one soon? Wow!
How old is she now? Kids do learn easily especially if started early on.
Thanks for visiting.
Marita
Reading benefits all children. It is such a easy way to spend time with them As a grandmother who has kids in different places, I love to Skype twice a month for a 10 min. Reading. We each have a copy of the same one (with the older kids) and take turns reading. Time goes by fast and we all enjoy the visits.
I love that you still read to your grandchildren even if they are faraway through Skype.
Truly your connection with them becomes meaningful with this activity. I’m sure they always look forward for this special bonding with their grandma.
Thanks for visiting.
God bless,
Marita
I have been trying so hard to read books to my grandbabies, especially the 2 year old, and she only wants to tear out the pages. So, yes I refer back to mother goose songs on YouTube because she knows every word. I will take your advice to try and change my voice and purchase Dr. Suess, thanks for the suggestions!
Hi Jamillah,
For those very young ones like your 2 year old grandchild, better buy the sturdy books which are made of cardboard, not paper, so they cannot tear them. Or flashcards would be suitable for them as well.
You tube nursery rhymes are of course more entertaining with the moving characters and songs , but if you learn to act out the characters in the book that you will be reading to them, they will be entertained as well. Make them join you in acting out as well.
Thanks for visiting.
God bless,
Marita