Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Nonverbal Communication Activity: Visual Referencing for Middle School
Download Activity and Lesson Plan As special educators, we understand the unique challenges middle schoolers face, particularly when it comes to nonverbal communication. Many students in this age group struggle with making eye contact during social interactions. While...
Free Tone of Voice Activity for High School Students
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Many high school students struggle with nonverbal communication, particularly in understanding and using tone of voice effectively. Whether it’s detecting sarcasm, expressing emotions appropriately, or adjusting their tone based on...
Nonverbal Communication Activity: Visual Referencing for Elementary
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Visual referencing is a key nonverbal communication strategy that helps students engage in conversations without the pressure of direct eye contact. Often referred to as social referencing, this skill allows learners to observe and...
Mindfulness Activities for Kids: Fun & Simple Ways to Teach Calm and Focus
Helping kids develop mindfulness skills is one of the most powerful ways to support their emotional well-being, focus, and self-regulation. Whether at home, in the classroom, or in therapy sessions, mindfulness activities provide children with the tools they need to...
10 Self-Regulation Strategies for Elementary Students
Self-regulation isn’t just about controlling emotions—it’s about developing the skills to navigate challenges, focus attention, and manage impulses. In elementary school, building these skills is essential for fostering independence and creating a positive learning...
How to Help Students Manage Big Emotions with the Big Feelings Toolbox
Helping young students navigate big emotions is one of the most important and challenging aspects of teaching. Many students struggle to express feelings like frustration, disappointment, or anxiety in a productive way, leading to classroom disruptions or withdrawal....
How to Teach Students About Emotions with SocialMojis
Helping students recognize, express, and understand emotions is a crucial part of their social and emotional development. Many young learners struggle to identify their feelings or express them appropriately, which can lead to frustration, misunderstandings, and...
Play This Free Executive Functioning Game with Students
Download Free Executive Functioning Resources Teach skills like organization, planning, and task initiation with resources for interventions and whole-class lessons.Executive functioning skills are essential for success in school, work, and daily life. These...
How to Teach Executive Functioning in High School (Free Lesson & Resources)
Download Free Executive Functioning Resources Teach skills like organization, planning, and task initiation with resources for interventions and whole-class lessons.High school presents new challenges for students—balancing multiple classes, extracurriculars, and...
No-Prep Activities
Teaching Kindergarten Students to Manage Stress with Breathing Exercises
Introduction Young children often experience stress and anxiety in their daily lives, whether it's due to academic pressure, social situations, or simply navigating new experiences. As educators, we can help kindergarten students develop coping skills to manage these...
Helping PreK Students Think Before They Speak: A Social-Emotional Learning Guide
Introduction Sometimes, people ask us questions and we’re not sure what to say. This can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. In this blog post, we'll introduce an easy, no-prep activity to help PreK students practice focusing and thinking before answering...
Enhancing Self-Control: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction Self-control is an essential skill that enables individuals to manage their feelings and behaviors, even in challenging situations. It is particularly important for students in special education, as it helps them to avoid impulsive actions and maintain...
Checking In: Evaluating Relationships for Healthy Connections
Introduction As educators, it is essential to promote healthy relationships among students by teaching them how to evaluate their connections with others. By incorporating Social-Emotional Learning principles, students can learn to check in with themselves and ask,...
Dealing with Teasing: Strategies and Tips for Special Education Students
Introduction Teasing is an unfortunate reality that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. It can lead to feelings of sadness, anger, and frustration. However, by teaching students in special education settings effective coping strategies, they can better...
Staying Calm to Solve Problems: Skills and Activities for Special Education
Introduction When problems arise, it's easy for students to become upset or react impulsively. Teaching students how to handle difficult situations calmly and thoughtfully is crucial for their development. This blog post will explore the importance of staying calm to...
Helping Students Cope When They’re Upset: A Guide for Educators
Introduction As educators, we often encounter students experiencing various emotions, including frustration or disappointment. Teaching students how to cope with these emotions is an essential part of their social-emotional learning journey. This blog post will...
Helping Elementary Students Overcome Embarrassment: Activities & Tips
Introduction Embarrassment is a natural part of life, and everyone experiences it at some point. For elementary students, learning how to cope with embarrassment is an essential skill that can help them build resilience, improve their social interactions, and develop...
Helping Students Make Good Decisions Under Pressure: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction Stress is a common challenge for students, especially those in Special Education programs. When faced with difficult situations or problems, students may feel overwhelmed and struggle to make good decisions. The ability to recognize stress, manage...
Effective Conversation Techniques: Asking Questions, Making Comments, and Shifting Topics
Introduction Engaging in meaningful conversations is an essential skill for students to develop. By learning to ask questions, make comments, and shift to new topics, students can actively participate in conversations and build strong connections with others. This...
Teaching Good Hygiene to Middle School Students: A Social-Emotional Learning Approach
Introduction As educators, one of our essential tasks is to help students develop healthy habits and understand their impact on social interactions. A crucial aspect of personal care is hygiene, including how we smell. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance...
Teaching Good Sportsmanship: Activities and Discussions for Special Education Students
As educators working with special education students, it's essential to teach the importance of being a good sport. Losing is a natural part of any competition, and it's crucial for students to understand how to handle defeat gracefully. In this blog post, we'll...
Teaching PreK Students About Caring for Others: Activities and Tips
As educators, one of our key objectives is to help young children develop empathy and understanding towards others. In this blog post, we will guide you through an easy-to-implement no-prep activity, thought-provoking discussion questions, and related skills to help...
Teaching Students How to Communicate When Feeling Unwell in School
Introduction Communication is an essential life skill that students must develop to navigate various situations in life. One such situation is when a student feels unwell in school. It is crucial for students to learn how to communicate their needs to their teachers...
Tackling Figures of Speech: A Guide for Middle School Educators
Introduction Figures of speech are sayings that people use, which have different meanings than what they seem. They are an essential part of everyday communication and can be challenging for students to grasp. Teaching middle school students about figures of speech...