Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
November Content Updates
We know your plate is full (Thanksgiving pun intended). That's why we're bringing you tools and resources to help save you time and stress, like our newly added Student Data Tracking sheets (sample) and Goal Bank for Social Communication Curriculum (SCC) subscribers!...
Why Gratitude Matters
What are you grateful for? You’ve probably heard this question multiple times over the years, likely at a Thanksgiving dinner. Take a moment and think about what you’re grateful for now. Got it? Now, how do you feel? Chances are you feel a little more content,...
Teaching Students Social Awareness
Learners who are socially aware can take others’ perspectives, identify how others may be feeling, and recognize and respect individuals from diverse backgrounds. Why is social awareness important for social-emotional learning? Teaching students to empathize with...
Teaching Students Self-Awareness
Teaching students self-awareness will help them to better understand themselves, their emotions, thoughts, values, and cultural identities. It's a skill that addresses the question we all have: “Who am I?” Why teaching students self-awareness is important for...
October Content Updates
Take a look at our October content updates! This month, just in time for Halloween, we're bringing you and your students a free (and adorable) printable candy corn emotions puzzle. Plus, be sure to check out the updates to some of our classic Everyday Speech videos...
ADHD and Social Skills
It’s not uncommon to have an IEP student (or two, or three, or four) on your caseload who has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) AND a social skills goal. A lot goes into a successful social interaction! Students diagnosed with ADHD may also struggle with...
Five Ways to Support Neurodivergent Students in SEL
In 1998, Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist on the autism spectrum, coined the term "neurodiversity" to challenge the idea of autism as a disability. The neurodiversity viewpoint is that brain differences are normal and that these variations should be celebrated...
How to Support SEL for Preschoolers
For many three- and four-year-olds, preschool is the first opportunity to be a student in a classroom setting. It’s a crucial time for development, not only academically but also socially and emotionally. By supporting our preschoolers with social-emotional learning...
How to Cultivate an SEL Community at Your School
The idea of implementing a social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum into your school building or district may feel daunting. While all 50 states have social-emotional learning standards, oftentimes these standards don’t include tangible steps for school leaders...
No-Prep Activities
Teaching Students the Art of Compromise: Activities and Discussion Questions
Introduction Disagreements are a natural part of life, but learning how to compromise can help students solve problems quickly and maintain positive relationships. This essential social-emotional skill can be taught through engaging activities and thoughtful...
Teaching High School Students Job Application Skills: A No-Prep Activity
Introduction Preparing high school students for the real world involves teaching them essential skills, such as applying for a job. This blog post will outline a no-prep activity that educators can use to help students learn the job application process and develop...
Teaching Students to Speak Slowly: An Activity for Effective Communication
Introduction Speaking too quickly can lead to confusion and misunderstandings in conversations. When students feel excited or nervous, they may start talking fast, making it difficult for others to understand them. In this blog post, we'll explore a no-prep activity...
Teaching the Art of Apologizing: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction Apologizing is an essential social skill that helps individuals build and maintain healthy relationships. For students in special education, learning how to apologize effectively can be particularly beneficial in fostering positive social interactions....
Dealing with Jealousy: Activities and Discussions for PreK Students
Introduction Jealousy is a natural emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. For young children, understanding and coping with jealousy can be especially challenging. As educators, it's essential to teach students how to recognize and manage these feelings...
Teaching PreK Students the Restaurant Rules for Social-Emotional Development
Introducing the Restaurant Rules to young children is an excellent way to foster their social-emotional development. These rules encourage self-control, hygiene, and manners, all of which are essential skills for young learners. In this blog post, we will explore an...
Helping Middle School Students Cope with Rejection: Strategies and Activities
Introduction Rejection is a common experience for everyone, including middle school students. It can be challenging to deal with, but learning to handle rejection is an essential life skill. In this blog post, we will discuss strategies and activities to help students...
Developing Cyber Skills for Texting: A Guide for High School Educators
Introduction Texting has become an essential part of communication in today's digital world, especially for teenagers. However, it can sometimes be confusing and lead to misunderstandings due to the lack of non-verbal cues and the use of slang or abbreviations....
Teaching Students to Make Connected Comments in Conversations
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of making connected comments in conversations and provide an easy-to-implement activity for educators to use in their classrooms. By teaching students to make connected comments, we can help them develop stronger...
Teaching Kindergarten Students the Art of Leaving a Conversation Politely
Introduction A vital aspect of social-emotional learning is teaching children how to communicate effectively and respectfully with others. One fundamental skill is knowing how to leave a conversation politely. For Kindergarten students, it's essential to learn this...
Gratitude: A Key to Happiness and Success in Education
Introduction Gratitude is a powerful habit that can lead to increased happiness and success in our lives. Being grateful makes us more social, fosters healthier relationships, and encourages us to participate in happier activities. As educators, it is essential to...
Teaching Social Skills: Introductions and Building Connections
Introduction As an educator, one of the most important skills you can teach your students is how to make introductions and build connections. This helps students develop essential social skills, fosters a sense of belonging in the classroom, and creates a foundation...
Teaching Kindergarten Students the Importance of Introducing Themselves
Introduction Introducing ourselves is a crucial social skill that helps build relationships and create a positive atmosphere. By teaching kindergarten students this skill, we can enhance their social-emotional development and prepare them for successful interactions...
Teaching PreK Students the Art of Compromise: An Essential Social Skill
As educators, we understand that social-emotional learning is a crucial component of a child's overall development. One essential skill for young learners is understanding how to compromise with others. This blog post will explore the importance of this skill and...
Teaching Kindergarteners to Cope with Embarrassment: Activities and Discussions
Introduction Embarrassment is a natural emotion that everyone experiences, including young children. It is essential for educators to teach kindergarten students how to cope with embarrassment and develop healthy strategies to manage their feelings. This blog post...
