Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Yoga for Kids: Free Worksheet and Video with Easy Yoga Poses
Download Free Mindfulness Activities Yoga, breathing exercises, and calming strategies for kidsHelping kids manage their energy and emotions can be a challenge. One effective way to support self-regulation, focus, and stress relief is through yoga for kids. By...
How Everyday Speech Supports Social Workers at Wilmette Public Schools
Jami Jacobs has been a school social worker at Central Elementary School in Wilmette, IL, for 23 years. Prior to using Everyday Speech, the school struggled to find a program that offered both communication and social skills curriculum for all students. After piloting...
Why School Culture Is Failing: The Unspoken Role of Social Skills in Teacher Burnout and Student Disengagement
Today, schools operate as intricate ecosystems, where school culture significantly shapes the well-being and achievement of students and educators. Amid escalating rates of teacher burnout, a mass exodus from the profession, and increasing student disengagement,...
Student and Group Organization for Student Services Professionals
Access FREE SEL materials today Whether you're a special education teacher, school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or speech-language pathologist (SLP)—you know that staying organized is key to helping your students thrive. With the new Student and Group...
Helping Middle Schoolers Budget their Time
Access FREE SEL materials today Time management and organization are crucial skills that can significantly impact a middle schooler's academic success and personal well-being. However, many students struggle to budget their time effectively, leading to stress, missed...
How to Teach Personal Hygiene: Free Lesson Plan and Hygiene Checklist for Teens
Teaching middle and high school students about personal hygiene is essential for their well-being, confidence, and social interactions. A well-maintained personal hygiene routine not only helps students feel good about themselves but also enhances their social...
Teaching Elementary Students Group Work in the Classroom
Access FREE SEL materials today Introduction Teaching elementary students how to work effectively in groups not only enhances their academic performance but also helps them develop critical life skills. One key aspect of this education involves teaching...
Teaching Calming Strategies for Students: Free Lesson Plan & Activity
Students today face various stressors, from academic pressure to social challenges, making it essential to equip them with practical calming strategies. By providing structured tools, educators can help students build self-regulation skills, manage emotions, and...
Interactive Problem-Solving Scale for Elementary Students
Access FREE SEL materials today Elementary students sometimes struggle with understanding the magnitude of their problems and how to appropriately respond to them. Teaching students to recognize and categorize the size of a problem is helpful for their emotional and...
No-Prep Activities
Teaching PreK Students the Art of Beginning and Ending Conversations
The ability to start and end conversations is a crucial skill for PreK students to develop. As they begin to engage in social interactions, it's essential to teach them how to initiate and conclude conversations without leaving others feeling confused or hurt. In this...
Teaching PreK Students to Follow Directions: A Guide for Educators
Introduction As educators, one of our primary goals is to teach our students how to follow directions effectively. Being able to follow directions is a crucial skill that not only helps students complete their work efficiently but also fosters a positive classroom...
Encouraging Students to Ask Questions: A Guide for Educators
Introduction As educators, we understand the importance of creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions. Questions are the foundation of learning and effective communication. In this blog post, we will discuss a no-prep activity that...
Teaching PreK Students Not to Talk Over Others: A Guide for Educators
Introduction Talking over someone can lead to confusion and frustration in conversations. It is important for young learners to understand the concept of taking turns while speaking and to be attentive listeners. This blog post discusses an activity that helps teach...
Regaining Self-Control: Strategies for Students
Introduction In the classroom, students may experience moments when they feel like they are losing self-control. Recognizing these feelings and the signals their bodies are sending can help them take steps to regain control and focus. By understanding their emotions...
Teaching Proper Handwashing Skills to PreK Students
Introduction Teaching proper handwashing skills to young children is essential in creating a healthy learning environment. PreK students need guidance and practice to develop these skills, which play a crucial role in preventing the spread of germs and maintaining...
Keeping Conversations Balanced: Teach Students the Art of a Friendly Chat
Introduction When engaging in conversations with friends, it's essential to maintain a balance between sharing and listening. In social-emotional learning, teaching students to have meaningful conversations is an important skill. This blog post will introduce an easy...
Teaching Cyber Skills for Online Safety: A Guide for Middle School Educators
Introduction In today's digital age, it is crucial for middle school students to develop strong Cyber Skills to stay safe online. Cyber Skills are responsible ways to use technology and communicate with others through the internet. Educators play a vital role in...
Teaching High School Students to Read the Room and Adapt Their Behavior
Introduction As educators, we know the importance of teaching our high school students valuable life skills that will help them navigate social situations effectively. One such skill is the ability to read the room and adapt their behavior accordingly. This involves...
Two Sides: An Activity to Encourage Thoughtful Communication
Introduction Communication is an essential skill for students, especially those in special education programs. Two Sides is an interactive game that encourages students to think before they speak, promoting social-emotional learning and fostering a respectful...
Calming Corner: Standing Stretches for Special Education Students
Introduction Special education students often face unique challenges in the classroom. One effective way to help these students succeed is by incorporating activities that promote social-emotional learning (SEL) into their daily routine. This blog post focuses on the...
Teaching Effective Storytelling: A Guide for Elementary Educators
Introduction Effective communication is essential for students to thrive socially and academically. One key aspect of communication is storytelling, which helps students share their experiences and ideas. This blog post focuses on teaching elementary students the...
Helping Students Cope with Being Left Out and Building Positive Self-Esteem
Introduction Being left out is a challenging experience for anyone, especially for students in Special Education. It is crucial for educators to help students develop coping mechanisms and maintain a positive self-esteem when facing such situations. This blog post...
Developing Cyber Skills for High School Students: Two Sides Game & Discussion
Introduction In today's digital world, it's essential for high school students to develop strong Cyber Skills. These skills are smart ways to stay safe while communicating with others online and using technology. Cyber Skills include responsible social media use,...
Enhancing Communication: The Importance of Eye Contact in Social-Emotional Learning
Introduction Eye contact is a crucial element in effective communication and social-emotional learning (SEL). When teaching students, especially those in special education, the ability to make eye contact can greatly improve their social interactions and help them...