Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play an essential role in helping students develop social skills that impact every aspect of their lives. From fostering conversational abilities to teaching nonverbal communication and social problem-solving, SLPs address a wide range of needs that are vital to student success.
This work often includes Tier 3 intervention and specially designed instruction, supporting students who require additional help in building foundational and advanced social skills.
We know how time-consuming it can be to prepare sessions, track progress, and manage IEP reporting. That’s why Everyday Speech provides a no-prep social skills curriculum designed to simplify this work.
“Everyday Speech has made a huge impact on my students. The videos are wonderful for my high school students learning pragmatic language skills. I love that the videos cover so many goals that we are working on in speech and language therapy, such as conversational skills, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. It’s really an amazing resource to help our students”’
Michelle Mugford, SLP
Andover Public Schools, Massachusetts
With a curriculum tailored to meet the specific challenges SLPs face, we help build skills in key areas:
- Emotional recognition
- Self-regulation
- Communication skills
- Friendship
Everyday Speech’s curriculum also includes features like Session Planning, Student and Group Profiles, and Mark as Seen. These tools make it easy to plan your sessions, track student progress, and save time on IEP reporting. By adding materials to your next session with just a few clicks, you can focus more on helping your students succeed while minimizing the time spent on preparation and documentation.
Below, we outline specific goals and example lessons designed to help SLPs create meaningful and measurable outcomes for their students.
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Emotional Recognition
Emotional recognition is the ability to identify and understand one’s own emotions as well as the emotions of others. This foundational skill is essential for navigating social situations, building empathy, and regulating emotional responses. By strengthening emotional recognition, students develop the tools to interpret social cues, manage challenging feelings, and create more positive, meaningful interactions with others.
Example Emotional Recognition Goals in Everyday Speech
Identifying Feelings: Helps learners identify and label their own emotions and recognize the emotions of others. By fine-tuning their ability to interpret facial expressions, students learn to read the “Big Three” clues—eyes, eyebrows, and mouth—to better understand how someone feels.
Changing the Channel on Feelings: Focuses on self-monitoring and regulating overwhelming emotions such as jealousy, frustration, or embarrassment. Learners practice coping strategies like using positive self-talk and “changing the channel” on tough emotions to handle difficult situations effectively.
Keeping an Open Mind: Encourages learners to develop flexibility in their thinking and actions when faced with unexpected changes or challenges. Students practice skills to tolerate disruptions, manage transitions calmly, and adapt to new situations, building resilience and a proactive mindset.
Thinking Positive: Teaches students how to recognize negative feelings and use positive self-talk to shift toward a more optimistic outlook. Learners practice identifying when negative thoughts arise and reframing them with constructive self-talk to break the cycle of negativity and build confidence.
Emotional Recognition Resources for SLPs
To support emotional recognition skill-building, Everyday Speech offers practical resources designed to make these concepts actionable for students. Below are two examples of curriculum materials in Everyday Speech that support these goals:
Video Lesson: We All Have Feelings Introduction
- Goal: Identifying Feelings
- Grade: Elementary School
Students will learn that they can use the clues on the outside to tell how someone feels on the inside.
Download the companion worksheet →
Interactive Game: Build-a-Moji
- Goal: Identifying Feelings
- Grade: Pre-K & K, Elementary School
Build-a-Moji targets emotional recognition by asking students to build their own emojis. Play a guessing game or open play. Students can print out their emojis at the end!
Play it online with your students here!
Self-Regulation
Self-regulation is the foundation of emotional and behavioral control. It enables students to recognize their emotions, behaviors, and impulses and equips them with strategies to navigate challenging situations with confidence. By mastering these skills, students can manage their reactions, maintain focus, and succeed in academic and social environments.
Example Self-Regulation Goals in Everyday Speech
Managing Stress: Empowers learners to identify stress triggers and apply calming strategies. Students practice recognizing stressful situations, exploring practical techniques for self-regulation, and developing the ability to stay calm and focused, even under pressure.
Using Your Self-Controller: Develops self-awareness of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. Students learn strategies to manage impulses early, fostering the ability to remain calm, composed, and in control across various situations.
Being Mindful: Teaches learners to focus on the present moment by becoming more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. Through mindfulness practice, students build skills to manage stress, improve concentration, and respond thoughtfully to challenges.
Executive Functioning: Focuses on planning, organizing, and self-monitoring skills. Students strengthen their ability to manage time, complete tasks efficiently, and stay focused on long-term goals, enhancing both academic performance and personal growth.
Self-Regulation Resources for SLPs
To bring self-regulation skills to life, Everyday Speech offers engaging resources that provide actionable tools and real-world practice opportunities. Below are two examples of how these resources support students.
Video Lesson: Choosing Calm
- Goal: Managing Stress
- Grade: Middle & High School
This video lesson reviews the concept of “thinking before you act” to help learners use responsible decision-making skills, even when emotions run high.
Download the companion worksheet →
Interactive Game: Operation Pizza
- Goal: Executive Functioning
- Grade: Elementary School, Middle & High School
Through the creation and delivery of pizzas, students will race against the clock and work together to apply their executive functioning skills and knowledge.
Play it online with your students here!
Communication Skills
Communication skills are the foundation for expressing thoughts, needs, and feelings effectively in a variety of contexts. These skills empower students to build relationships, collaborate with others, and succeed both academically and socially. By mastering communication, learners gain the confidence to navigate diverse interactions, foster meaningful connections, and achieve their personal and academic goals.
“[Everyday Speech] offers tons of lesson plans, videos, and activities to help students learn a huge variety of social language skills. The videos are amazing for good conversations about social skills, scenarios, and good video models for students that benefit from that type of therapy/intervention.”
Heather Ellison, Speech-Language Pathologist
Randolph County Schools, North Carolina
Example Communication Goals in Everyday Speech
Conversation Basics: Provides foundational skills for engaging in meaningful and effective conversations. Learners practice initiating interactions and explore strategies for keeping conversations flowing smoothly. They also identify and avoid behaviors that can hinder communication, building confidence in their social interactions and fostering stronger connections.
Conversation Maintenance: Focuses on sustaining meaningful interactions. Students practice skills like asking follow-up questions, taking turns speaking, and showing genuine interest in others. These techniques help learners keep conversations engaging, collaborative, and productive.
Advanced Conversation Skills: Equips students to navigate more complex social interactions. Learners develop techniques such as recognizing social cues, adjusting tone and language for different contexts, and engaging in deeper, reciprocal conversations. These skills enhance their ability to communicate effectively and adapt to diverse social scenarios.
Communication Skills Resources for SLPs
To support the development of strong communication skills, Everyday Speech provides curriculum materials that make these concepts engaging and actionable for students. Below are examples of Everyday Speech resources designed to enhance communication skills:
Video Lesson: Conversation Drivers When Playing
- Goal: Conversation Basics
- Grade: Pre-K & K
Students will learn how to keep a conversation going while playing with others by using the Everyday Speech concept of Conversation Drivers.
Download the companion worksheet →
Video Lesson: How to Make Connected Comments
- Goal: Conversation Maintenance
- Grade: Pre-K & K
This video lesson reinforces the concept of Making Connected Comments when talking to others.
Download the companion worksheet →
Friendship
Friendship skills are the social competencies students need to build and maintain healthy peer relationships. These skills—such as sharing, taking turns, and understanding social cues—help students connect meaningfully with others, fostering trust, cooperation, and a sense of belonging.
By strengthening friendship skills, learners develop the confidence and tools to navigate social interactions and cultivate lasting, positive relationships.
Example Friendship Goals in Everyday Speech
Playing with Others: Teaches essential social skills for successful and enjoyable group play. Learners gain confidence in initiating interactions, explore the importance of inclusivity, and practice cooperative play to foster positive group dynamics.
Empathy Essentials: Focuses on understanding and connecting with others’ feelings. Students practice perspective-taking by considering others’ emotions and experiences, then adjust their behavior to foster stronger, more empathetic relationships.
Maintaining Friendships: Helps students strengthen their relationships by practicing communication, empathy, and conflict resolution. Learners explore ways to show care, stay connected, and navigate challenges to ensure friendships remain strong and meaningful.
Handling Teasing and Bullying: Equips students with strategies to respond confidently and effectively to unkind behaviors. Learners practice assertiveness, seek support when needed, and recognize when to involve a trusted adult, building resilience and fostering safer, more positive environments.
Friendship Skills Resources for Counselors
To make these skills practical and engaging, Everyday Speech offers curriculum materials designed to help students build meaningful connections. Here is an example from Everyday Speech:
Interactive Game: Puzzle Solver: Play Skills
Goal: Playing with Others
This digital puzzle gives preschoolers a calm activity to redirect focus or offer a break while reviewing play skills with their favorite animated characters.
Play it online with your students here!
Speech-Language Pathologists & Everyday Speech
SLPs face unique challenges in supporting students’ communication and social development. Everyday Speech provides a comprehensive social skills curriculum that equips SLPs with targeted tools and lessons to create meaningful change.
“I love everything about Everyday Speech World! It makes practicing skills fun and engaging!”
Michelle Loco, CCC-SLP
NYC Department of Education
With resources tailored to the needs of SLPs, we simplify their workflows and empower them to focus on what matters most: helping students thrive.
To get started, you can:
- Sign up for a free 30-day trial.
- Have your team join you in a free 8-week pilot – sign up here!
- Schedule a live demo with our team.
