Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
A Guide to Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices in Schools
For years, social skills instruction in schools has been built around compliance—teaching neurodivergent students to conform to neurotypical expectations. While often well-intended, this approach can inadvertently encourage masking, increase anxiety, and erode...
From Compliance to Empowerment: Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices for Student Support Teams
An SCSS Teacher Shares How Everyday Speech Reduced Prep Time & Burnout
For educators like Maci Allee, a Social Communication Support and Services (SCSS) teacher at Leander Independent School District, lesson planning used to be a time-consuming, energy-draining process. Before discovering Everyday Speech, she spent hours searching the...
How to Bring Everyday Speech to Your District
Everyday Speech transforms the way you teach social skills, helping students thrive while saving you valuable time. If you’re looking for ways to make this resource available to your entire team, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll share strategies to help you...
How Everyday Speech Empowers Student Support Teams
Student Support Teams play a critical role in fostering the social and behavioral growth of students. Everyday Speech is here to make this work simpler and more effective. With a no-prep social skills curriculum designed for busy professionals, we reduce prep time,...
How Everyday Speech Supports School Counselors (with Example Videos & Games!)
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...
How Everyday Speech Supports Social Workers (with Example Videos & Games!)
Social workers play a vital role in supporting the holistic development and mental health of students. From helping students navigate emotional challenges to fostering self-regulation and conflict resolution, social workers address a wide range of needs that impact...
How Everyday Speech Supports Speech-Language Pathologists (with Example Videos & Games!)
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...
How Everyday Speech Supports School Psychologists (with Example Videos & Games!)
School psychologists play a critical role in supporting students’ mental health and social development. From teaching emotional recognition to guiding students through self-regulation and decision-making, school psychologists address a wide range of challenges to...
No-Prep Activities
Helping PreK Students Recognize Stress & Learn Calming Strategies
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of helping PreK students recognize stress and learn calming strategies. We will discuss a no-prep activity for educators to use, provide discussion questions to stimulate further conversations, and mention related...
Teaching Elementary Students to Be Social Chameleons: Adapting to Different Situations
Introduction Being a Social Chameleon means that students can adapt and blend into any situation, no matter what is happening around them. This skill is essential for developing healthy relationships and effective communication. By tuning into their surroundings,...
Building Friendships: Strategies for Special Education Students
Introduction Friendship is a fundamental aspect of life, providing support, trust, and shared experiences. For students in special education, building friendships can be particularly beneficial for their overall well-being and social-emotional growth. This blog post...
Teaching PreK Students to Ask for Breaks and Calm Down: Strategies and Discussions
Introduction As educators, we understand the importance of teaching our PreK students to recognize and manage their emotions. One essential skill to help students cope with challenging situations is learning to ask for a break and find appropriate ways to calm down....
Teaching Conversation Drivers and Stoppers: Activities and Tips for Middle School Educators
Introduction For middle school students, learning the art of conversation is an important part of their social-emotional development. Conversation Drivers are behaviors that keep a conversation going, while Conversation Stoppers are behaviors that can make a...
Adapting to Change: Helping PreK Students Switch Tracks When Plans Change
Change is a natural part of life, but for young children, it can be challenging and unsettling. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of adapting to change and provide educators with a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related social-emotional...
Enhancing Conversations with Conversation Drivers: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction Effective communication plays a crucial role in building relationships and fostering social-emotional learning. As educators, it is essential to teach students the importance of Conversation Drivers, which are behaviors that help drive a conversation...
Teaching Problem Solving Skills to Students: A Guide for Educators
As educators, we strive to teach our students valuable life skills that will help them navigate the world with confidence. One such skill is problem-solving, which enables students to identify, analyze, and resolve issues they may encounter. In this blog post, we will...
Tuning In: Building Awareness and Compassion in Elementary Students
Introduction Tuning in is a crucial skill that involves paying attention to our own needs and the needs of others. By developing this ability, we can better understand and respond to our emotions, as well as empathize with those around us. This blog post will explore...
Uncovering Disguised Thoughts: Activities and Strategies for Special Education
Introduction In everyday conversations, understanding the true meaning behind someone's words is essential for effective communication. For students in special education, recognizing and interpreting Disguised Thoughts can be particularly challenging. Disguised...
Teaching PreK Students to See from Others’ Point of View
Introduction Understanding that everyone has their own thoughts and feelings is a crucial skill for young learners. By teaching PreK students to see from others' point of view, we can help them develop empathy, problem-solving abilities, and stronger social...
How We Act in School Bingo: A Fun Activity for Middle School Educators
Introduction Welcome, educators! Today, we will be discussing a fun and engaging activity to help middle school students understand the importance of positive classroom behaviors. By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning, this activity will promote an...
Teaching PreK Students to Ask for What They Need: Activities and Tips for Educators
Introduction As educators, it is essential to teach young students the importance of asking for what they need. This skill empowers children to communicate their needs effectively and helps them develop healthy relationships with their peers and adults. In this blog...
Staying Calm and Following the Group: Essential Skills for Elementary Students
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of teaching elementary students the valuable skills of staying calm and following the group when faced with unexpected situations or challenges. Through these skills, students can develop resilience, adaptability, and...
Teaching Students to Become Social Chameleons: Adapting to Different Situations
In today's world, the ability to adapt to different social situations is essential for success. This is especially true for students in Special Education, who may face unique challenges when navigating various environments. By teaching them to become Social...
