Everyday Speech Blog

Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles

50+ Examples of Strengths-Based IEP Goals for Students
50+ Examples of Strengths-Based IEP Goals for Students

Download 50+ Example IEP Goals Customizable library of strengths-based goalsIEP goals should empower students. Instead of focusing on eliminating challenges, strengths-based IEP goals emphasize autonomy, self-advocacy, and meaningful skill development. Below are real...

How to Teach Self-Advocacy – with Examples!
How to Teach Self-Advocacy – with Examples!

Self-advocacy is the ability to understand and communicate one’s own needs, preferences, and rights. For neurodivergent students, this skill is critical—not only in education but in relationships, work, and daily life. Too often, traditional social skills instruction...

No-Prep Activities

Teaching Turn-Taking in Conversation for Special Education Students
Teaching Turn-Taking in Conversation for Special Education Students

Introduction Communication is a vital skill in everyday life, and taking turns during conversations is an essential aspect of effective communication. For students in Special Education, learning to take turns while talking can be challenging. In this blog post, we...

Understanding Voice Pitch and Tone in Social-Emotional Learning
Understanding Voice Pitch and Tone in Social-Emotional Learning

As educators, we know that effective communication is a critical component of social-emotional learning. One key aspect of communication is understanding how voice pitch and tone can impact the meaning of our words. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of...

Teaching Teamwork and Collaboration Skills to Elementary Students
Teaching Teamwork and Collaboration Skills to Elementary Students

Introduction Teamwork and collaboration are essential skills for students to develop, as they help build strong relationships and improve problem-solving abilities. In this blog post, we will explore an easy-to-implement activity that encourages teamwork and...

Teaching the Importance of Eye Contact in Social-Emotional Learning
Teaching the Importance of Eye Contact in Social-Emotional Learning

Introduction Eye contact is a foundational aspect of communication and plays a significant role in social-emotional learning. It helps us connect with others, express our feelings, and demonstrate that we are actively engaged in conversations. In this blog post, we...

Developing Empathy: Activities and Discussions for Educators
Developing Empathy: Activities and Discussions for Educators

Introduction Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, or "putting yourself in someone else's shoes." This essential social-emotional learning skill helps students form meaningful connections with their peers, fostering positive...

Teaching PreK Students the Art of Gentle Correction
Teaching PreK Students the Art of Gentle Correction

Introduction As educators, we understand the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for our PreK students. One key aspect of this is teaching them how to handle situations where they may know more about a subject or a game than their peers....

Joining Friends on the Playground: A Guide for Educators
Joining Friends on the Playground: A Guide for Educators

Introduction Playing with others on the playground is not only fun but also essential for students' social development. Sometimes, students may find themselves in situations where they need to join a game or activity that has already started. This blog post will...

Phone Etiquette for Elementary Students: Teaching Essential Skills
Phone Etiquette for Elementary Students: Teaching Essential Skills

Introduction Teaching phone etiquette to elementary students is an important aspect of their social development. As they begin to communicate with friends and family members over the phone, it is essential for them to learn the appropriate ways to interact. In this...

Teaching Students to Show Interest in Others’ Conversations
Teaching Students to Show Interest in Others’ Conversations

Introduction It is crucial for students to understand that everyone has different interests and preferences. When engaging in conversations, it is essential to show interest in what others are saying, even if the topic is not personally appealing. By actively...

Staying Calm in School: Strategies for High School Students
Staying Calm in School: Strategies for High School Students

Introduction High school can be a challenging environment for students, with numerous situations that can trigger feelings of stress, anxiety, or anger. It's essential for students to learn how to stay calm and maintain self-control in these situations, not only for...