School counselors play a pivotal role in guiding students through their academic, social, and behavioral challenges. From helping students regulate their emotions to teaching critical interpersonal and problem-solving skills, counselors address diverse needs to ensure student success both in and beyond the classroom.
We understand how time-intensive it can be to prepare materials, track progress, and manage sessions across different student needs. That’s why Everyday Speech provides a no-prep social skills curriculum designed to simplify this work.
“I’ve been a school counselor for 16 years and this is one of the best programs out there, and I’ve told so many colleagues about it too”
Julie Benson, School Counselor, M.A., MHC
Tri-Town Union Schools – Boxford, Massachusetts
With a curriculum tailored to support school counselors, we offer resources ideal for whole-class instruction, small groups, or individual interventions. These materials help build skills in key areas:
- Emotional recognition
- Self-regulation
- Academic readiness
- Friendship skills
Everyday Speech’s curriculum also includes features like Session Planning, Student and Group Profiles, and Mark as Seen. These tools help counselors save time by making it easy to prepare materials for sessions, track what students or groups have reviewed, and seamlessly pick up where they left off. With these tools, counselors can stay organized and focus on supporting their students’ growth.
Below, we outline specific goals and example lessons designed to help school counselors 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 Counselors
To support emotional recognition skill-building, Everyday Speech offers practical resources designed to make these concepts actionable for students. Below are a few 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!
Video Lesson: Feeling Good About Ourselves
- Grade: Pre-K & K
- Goal: Thinking Positive
Students will learn that they can use the clues on the outside to tell how someone feels on the inside.
Download the companion worksheet →
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.
“Everyday Speech is explicit social thinking and behavior instruction that is easy to use with individuals, small groups, and whole classes.”
Jennifer Saul, School Counselor
Sequim School District, Washington
Self-Regulation Resources for Counselors
To bring self-regulation skills to life, Everyday Speech offers engaging resources that provide actionable tools and real-world practice opportunities. Below are a few 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 →
Video Lesson: Brain Break
- Goal: Being Mindful
- Grade: Elementary School
This Everyday Speech mindfulness lesson helps students explore the difference between energizing brain breaks and breaks for relaxation. Students get hands-on practice exploring new strategies for the classroom.
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!
Academic Readiness
Academic readiness encompasses the essential skills students need to thrive in a classroom setting. These foundational skills—spanning cognitive, social, and emotional competencies—help students pay attention, remember instructions, and engage effectively in academic learning. By strengthening these abilities, students build the confidence and preparedness needed to succeed in a structured environment.
Example Academic Readiness Goals in Everyday Speech
Classroom Routine: Helps students understand and navigate daily classroom routines with confidence. By making these frameworks clear and accessible, students become empowered to participate independently and successfully manage transitions throughout the school day.
Working with Others: Focuses on collaboration, teamwork, and communication. Students practice skills like sharing ideas, taking turns, and balancing responsibilities to foster positive group dynamics and complete tasks effectively.
Behavior Management: Equips students with self-regulation techniques to ensure safe and respectful interactions. They learn to recognize when they feel overwhelmed and apply strategies to stay calm and maintain control, supporting a positive classroom environment for all.
Showing Respect: Emphasizes treating others with kindness, empathy, and consideration. Students practice understanding diverse perspectives, honoring boundaries, and using respectful communication to build strong, positive relationships and a sense of community.
Academic Readiness Resources for Counselors
To help students build academic readiness, Everyday Speech provides resources that translate these skills into actionable and practical learning opportunities. Here are two examples of the curriculum materials designed to support these goals:
Video Lesson: Following Directions
- Goal: Classroom Routine
- Grade: Pre-K & K
This video focuses on teaching learners the essential skills needed to follow multi-step directions effectively. Through engaging examples and clear guidance, students will learn how to listen carefully, break down tasks into manageable steps, and stay focused while completing instructions.
Download the companion worksheet →
Video Lesson: Working in Groups Introduction
- Goal: Working with Others
- Grade: Elementary School
This video lesson models how students can work effectively in a group setting. Students will learn specific language to focus on group work, show acceptance of others’ ideas, and encourage participation from others.
Download the companion worksheet →
Friendship Skills
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!
School Counselors & Everyday Speech
School counselors face unique challenges in supporting students’ emotional well-being, academic success, and social development. Everyday Speech provides a comprehensive social skills curriculum that equips school counselors with targeted tools and lessons to create meaningful change.
With resources tailored to the needs of school counselors, 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.
