Everyday Speech Blog

Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles

How Everyday Speech Supports the New Massachusetts IEP
How Everyday Speech Supports the New Massachusetts IEP

The new Massachusetts IEP brings a major shift in how schools approach individualized education plans, with a stronger emphasis on student-centered learning, self-advocacy, and transition planning. These updates are designed to ensure that students take a more active...

The Best No-Prep Problem-Solving Activities for PK-12 Students
The Best No-Prep Problem-Solving Activities for PK-12 Students

Problem-solving is an essential skill that helps students navigate challenges in academics, relationships, and daily life. Whether working through a math problem, resolving a disagreement, or making a decision about time management, problem-solving encourages critical...

Free Preschool Problem-Solving Activity: Who Can Help?
Free Preschool Problem-Solving Activity: Who Can Help?

Preschoolers are still learning how to navigate everyday challenges—whether it’s tying their shoes, feeling sad, or losing a favorite toy. At this age, one of the most important problem-solving skills they can develop is knowing who to ask for help in different...

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...