Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
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...
How a Culture of SEL Supports Students’ Mental Health
Many students are heading back to the classroom for the first time since March 2020, when the pandemic put a pause on in-person instruction. With this in mind, school districts are exploring ways to support students not only on gaps in academics but also in their...
September Content Updates: What’s New This Month?
The earlier we can support our early learners with social-emotional learning the better! As you know, this isn't always easy. Early learners may struggle with reading, paying attention, and comprehending materials created for older audiences. That's why we've released...
Preschool and Kindergarten Social Communication and SEL Materials are Now Live!
It’s here! Subscribers now have access to our new preschool and kindergarten learning resources. Our Pre-K&K materials are available for the Social Communication track and the Social-Emotional Learning track. The earlier we can prepare our students with...
Pig Latin, Phonological Awareness, and Dyslexia
Guest post by Margaret Lanning, MS, CCC-SLP, in partnership with eLuma Online Therapy. Did you ever speak in Ig-pay Atin-lay with your elementary school friends? You know, the “language” where you take off the first consonant from the front of a word and move it to...
How to Create an Inclusive Classroom: Choosing Inclusive Teaching Materials
Guest post by Laurel Mendoza, MA, CCC-SLP, in partnership with eLuma Online Therapy. Diversity. Inclusion. Cultural sensitivity. As educators, we're likely very familiar with these terms. Although we may acknowledge their importance, it is another matter entirely...
Does Exercise Make You Happy? Science Says Yes
Temperatures are on the rise, the days are longer, and our weekend plans are full of barbecues with friends and family consist of barbecues with family – all sure signs that summer is here! With many more sunny and warm days ahead, why not get outside and get some...
No-Prep Activities
Communicating About Distractions: A Guide for Educators
Introduction In a classroom setting, students often encounter situations where others may unknowingly cause distractions or engage in annoying behaviors. As educators, it's essential to teach students effective communication skills to address these situations calmly...
Teaching Conversation Skills to Elementary Students: An Engaging No-Prep Activity
Introduction Conversations are the building blocks of social interaction, and teaching students how to participate in conversations effectively is an essential part of their social-emotional development. In this blog post, we will discuss an engaging no-prep activity...
Teaching Self-Control to Kindergarten Students: The Self-Controller Scanner
Introduction Teaching self-control to Kindergarten students is an essential aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. The Self-Controller Scanner is a valuable tool that helps young children understand their thoughts and feelings, and develop strategies for staying in...
Teaching Small Talk Skills to Students in Special Education: The Two W’s
Introduction Small talk is an essential social skill that helps individuals connect with others. It is particularly useful for students in Special Education, as it can build a sense of belonging and improve their communication abilities. This blog post will introduce...
Animal Breathing Techniques for Calming and Self-Regulation
In this blog post, we will discuss animal breathing techniques designed to help students in special education practice self-regulation and calming strategies. These simple, engaging activities can be easily incorporated into the classroom or at home to support...
Taking Care of Hygiene: Teaching Students to Cover Their Sneezes
Introduction Hygiene is an essential aspect of our daily lives, and teaching students about proper sneezing etiquette is crucial to prevent the spread of germs and ensure a healthier environment. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of covering your...
Encouraging Positive Self-Talk: A Guide for Middle School Educators
Introduction Positive self-talk is a powerful tool that can help students build confidence, improve self-esteem, and overcome challenges. As educators, we can teach our middle school students how to engage in positive self-talk to navigate through difficult situations...
Becoming a Social Chameleon: Adapting Behavior for Different Situations
Introduction As educators, we know that students encounter various situations throughout their day, each with its own set of rules and expected behaviors. Teaching students to adapt their behavior to different environments is an essential skill, particularly for those...
Encouraging Hygiene Practices and Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom
Introduction Teaching students proper hygiene practices, such as covering their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough, is essential to promoting a healthy and safe learning environment. By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), educators can...
Teaching the Importance of Good Sportsmanship for High School Students
Introduction In today's competitive world, it is essential for high school students to learn and practice good sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship is the ability to handle both winning and losing gracefully, without complaining or getting upset. This vital social skill...
Teaching Emotions to Kindergarten Students with Emotions Bingo
Welcome to a blog post that introduces a fun and engaging activity designed for kindergarten students to learn about emotions and develop their social-emotional skills. The activity, Emotions Bingo, is based on a video that shows different people experiencing various...
Respectful Relationship Skills: Teaching Middle School Students to Break Up Gracefully
Introduction Relationships are an essential aspect of human life, and learning how to navigate them successfully is a crucial skill for middle school students. It's important to teach students how to recognize when a relationship isn't working and how to end it...
Teaching Students How to Stay on Topic in Conversations
Introduction Staying on topic is an essential skill for students to develop, as it enables them to participate in meaningful conversations and build strong relationships. This blog post will explore the concept of staying on topic, provide a no-prep activity for...
Teaching Personal Space: An Essential Skill for Kindergarten Students
Introduction Personal space is an essential concept for kindergarten students to grasp as they begin to interact with their peers and develop social relationships. It is important for educators to teach young children the concept of maintaining an 'invisible bubble'...
Recognizing and Addressing Ganging Up in Elementary Students’ Friend Groups
Introduction Being part of a group of friends can be a fun and rewarding experience for students. However, it's important for them to recognize when a friend group isn't treating them kindly and learn how to address the situation. In this blog, we'll explore the...
