Make Storytime More Accessible for Neurodivergent Kids

As a single mom to an exceptional and neurodivergent eight-year-old, I’ve seen how powerful literacy and stories can be. They open up new worlds, spark imaginations and help kids see themselves in ways they may never have thought possible. When my child reads and interprets a sign on a walk or labels in the store, I see how he begins to engage more fully with the world around him. When he listens to a book being read or views its unique artwork, he gets excited to engage fully in that story.

As referenced in the research from the Ontario Human Rights Commission in 2022, children who read have better educational, health and social outcomes. Literacy is the first step on the pathway to broader social inclusion and fully engaged participation in society.

But it’s how we engage with and share stories with neurodiverse kids that matters. While some kids are happy to have a book handed to them, others may want the story read to them, to have an adult sit with them while they read or to do a picture walk (looking at the illustrations) before jumping into the words. Or they may engage with a story in a totally different way.

“Everyone has access needs. Some people can participate even if their access needs aren’t met–it just won’t be as easy or as fun. Other people can’t participate if their access needs aren’t met. Participation is a human right. Accessibility makes participation possible for more people and better for everyone.” – Occupational Therapist, Emily Downs

Inclusive Storytime Ideas for Parents

Loose parts play

Gather a bunch of small toys or other items from around the house that represent characters or themes from a book. Kids can experiment with these, sort them as they see fit, or move them from one container to another.

Gross motor activities

Encourage kids to dance, jump or move their bodies in ways that go along with the story, or create a themed obstacle course.

Hands-on experiments

These could be STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) activities, like making playdough, mixing paint colours or experimenting with baking soda and vinegar.

Calming activities

Try colouring or making patterns in sand.

Visuals

Draw pictures inspired by the stories you read or play games like pin the tail on the donkey—or pin the sail on the ship, the treasure chest on the map or other story-themed games.

How to Prepare:

• Create a "station" for each activity (e.g. one table for loose parts, an area for dancing and jumping), even if you’re just doing two.
• Include visuals at every activity station.
• Let kids try out and play with any activity they want so they can choose what works best for them.

6 creative ways to engage with these great new books

Here are a few exciting new Canadian books you can find at your local library. While reading these books, try these easy activities to engage your child, whether through gross motor activities, sorting activities, musical instrumentation, colouring or other imaginative play.

Jonathan Hillman (author) and Nadia Alam (illustrator), The Wishing Machine (Ages 0-6)

Make the sounds of a washing machine with shakers while reading the story and have kids move their bodies and explore the joy in everyday household items in a pretend laundry station (cardboard boxes for laundry bins, string clothesline, extra clothes).

Kate Jenks Landry (author) and Vivian Mineker (illustrator), Beatrice and Barb (Ages 0-6)

Craft your own Barb puppet with a paper plate to see what foods she might like, build “I Spy” bags with things from the story like leaves, pets, toys, etc and encourage your little to look for certain objects, move your body like Beatrice while reading the story; pretend to play fetch, pedal your feet like you’re cycling to the vet, etc.

Wai Mei Wong (author) and Julia Vasileva (illustrator), I Love Myself (Ages 0-6)

Talk about how kids can love and appreciate themselves while making self-portraits out of simple craft items like string, rocks, buttons, feathers, and paper cut-outs or practice loving yourself by trying new things, maybe that’s a snack of interesting fruit you explore together or maybe you make slime and touch a weird new texture?.

Farah Qaiser, Hajer Nakua, et al, Khadija and the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment (Ages 6-8)

Lead a science experiment, like making elephant toothpaste, or try other fun simple STEM activities like making a Walking Rainbow from paper towel, washable markers, and a little bit of water.

Jessica Rose (author) and Jarrett Sitter (illustrator), Let’s Get Creative: Art for a Healthy Planet (Ages 9-12)

Create eco-friendly crafts using found objects like making leaf or feather rubbings with crayons on paper, or make living art by planting a garden full of colours and textures as a family

Vikki VanSickle (author) and Laura K. Watson (illustrator), The Lightning Circle (Ages 13+)

Make friendship bracelets or other fun camp-based crafts. Encourage teens to share their feelings via blackout poetry or a collage by repurposing old books or magazines! These on-theme activities could be used to start a low-stakes conversation with your young adult while having their hands occupied.