Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
How to Set Neurodiversity-Affirming IEP Goals that Support Autonomy and Authenticity
Download 50+ Example IEP Goals Customizable library of strengths-based goalsToo often, Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals are written with the assumption that neurodivergent students must adapt to neurotypical behaviors. But what if we shifted the focus to...
The Double Empathy Problem: How to Improve Classroom Understanding
Communication is often seen as a skill that neurodivergent students must improve, but what if the challenge lies in mutual understanding? Enter the Double Empathy Problem. What is the Double Empathy Problem? For decades, social skills education for neurodivergent...
Understanding Masking and Supporting Neurodivergent Students
Masking is a common but often misunderstood behavior among neurodivergent students, impacting their well-being and social interactions. In schools, many students feel pressured to suppress their natural behaviors to fit in, but this can take a significant toll on...
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
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...
No-Prep Activities
Whole Body Listening: Enhancing Communication in Special Education
Introduction Communication is a vital aspect of everyday life, and effective communication skills are essential for students in Special Education. One such skill is whole body listening, which involves not only using our ears but also our entire body to show that we...
Thriving in New Ways: Social-Emotional Learning for Middle School Students during Social Distancing
Introduction During these challenging times, middle school students need to adapt and thrive in new ways. Social distancing has led to a greater emphasis on self-care and personal growth. This blog post focuses on helping educators teach their students valuable...
Teaching Nighttime Hygiene to Kindergarten Students: Tips and Activities
As educators, we have the responsibility to teach our students essential life skills, including proper hygiene. Good hygiene practices not only keep us healthy but also make others feel comfortable around us. In this blog post, we will focus on teaching nighttime...
Teaching Students the Importance of Answering Friends: A No-Prep Activity for Educators
Introduction Positive social interactions are essential for students to develop strong relationships with their peers. A key aspect of these interactions is learning how to answer friends when they engage in conversation. This blog post provides an overview of a...
Teaching Conversation Drivers and Stoppers with Bingo: A Social-Emotional Learning Activity
Introduction Effective communication is essential for developing and maintaining healthy relationships. As educators, we play a crucial role in teaching middle school students how to engage in meaningful conversations. In this blog post, we will discuss conversation...
Teaching Students the Art of Reading People’s Mood
As educators, it's important to teach students the essential skill of reading people's mood. By being able to tell how someone is feeling, students can better understand how to act around others and avoid behaviors that might make them uncomfortable. In this blog...
Teaching Attention Skills for a Focused Learning Environment
Introduction In the realm of special education, it’s essential to teach students the skill of paying attention. When we pay attention, we focus our mind and body, which helps us to avoid distractions and learn more effectively. This blog post will discuss a no-prep...
Helping Kindergarten Students Cope with Worries and Build Flexibility
Introduction It's natural for young children to experience worries, especially when faced with situations they cannot control. As educators, it's crucial to teach Kindergarten students essential skills to help them manage their worries and foster flexibility. By doing...
Encouraging Group Participation Skills in PreK Students
Introduction Developing strong group participation skills is an important aspect of Social-Emotional Learning for young students. This ability helps children feel included, build connections with their peers, and learn to work cooperatively. In this blog post, we will...
Teaching Students the Art of Being Tuned In: No-Prep Activity & Discussion
Introduction Being tuned in is an essential social-emotional skill that helps students develop social awareness and make better decisions in various situations. This skill involves paying attention to their actions and the actions of others, ensuring that their...
Staying Positive and Persevering: Teaching Students to Embrace Challenges
Introduction As educators, we understand that students may encounter difficulties in various aspects of their lives, leading to frustration and a desire to give up. However, it's crucial for students to learn the importance of staying positive and persevering through...
Teaching Appropriate Voice Volume in Conversation for Kindergarten Students
Introduction One crucial aspect of effective communication is the ability to control our voice volume during conversations. Teaching this skill to kindergarten students helps them develop strong social-emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives....
Teaching PreK Students the Importance of Oral Hygiene and Social Interactions
Introduction As educators, it's essential to teach our students about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene. A clean mouth and fresh breath not only contribute to overall health but also play a significant role in social interactions. In this blog post, we...
Using Topic Radar to Encourage Inclusive Conversations in the Classroom
In today's diverse classrooms, it's essential for educators to promote inclusive conversations that engage every student. One effective way to achieve this is by using the Topic Radar concept. This approach helps students think about other people's interests,...
Unlocking Thoughts: How Observing Eye Movements Enhances Communication
Understanding the thoughts and feelings of others is a crucial aspect of social-emotional learning. One way to gain insight into someone's mind is by observing their eye movements. In this blog post, we will explore an activity that helps middle school students learn...
