Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Student Mindfulness Exercises
Take a deep breath. You did it! You made it through quite possibly one of the most challenging Septembers of your life as an educator. Transitioning from a year and a half of virtual learning to in-person learning has its challenges, to say the least. You and your...
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...
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...
No-Prep Activities
Teaching High School Students to Read the Room: Activities and Discussions
Introduction Teaching high school students how to read the room is an essential skill that helps them navigate social situations and adapt their behavior accordingly. In this blog post, we will introduce a no-prep activity that educators can use to teach this skill,...
Teaching Polite Communication Skills for Addressing Annoyances
Introduction As educators, one of our primary goals is to teach students essential life skills that will help them navigate social situations. One of these skills is knowing how to address annoyances calmly and politely. This blog post will provide an overview of this...
Surfing Conversations: Teaching Smooth Topic Transitions in Middle School
Introduction Conversations are an essential part of our daily lives, and it's crucial for middle school students to develop the ability to transition smoothly between topics. Just like surfers ride one wave until it's finished before starting a new one, students...
Teaching Elementary Students How to Politely Ask to Use the Bathroom
Introduction One of the essential social skills for elementary students is learning how to politely ask to use the bathroom. This skill helps students develop respect for their teachers and peers, fosters a sense of responsibility, and promotes a positive learning...
Teaching Honesty with Care: Balancing Truthfulness and Sensitivity in Special Education
Introduction Honesty is a crucial skill for students to develop, but it is important to understand that there is a line between being honest and being too honest. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of teaching students how to balance truthfulness and...
Developing Problem-Solving Skills and Emotion Management for Special Education Students
Introduction In our daily lives, we encounter various problems, some arising from our mistakes and others due to circumstances beyond our control. While we cannot avoid facing these problems, we can learn to manage our emotions and reactions to them. This is...
Teaching PreK Students the Importance of Answering Questions
Introduction When working with PreK students, it's essential to teach them the importance of answering questions and engaging in effective communication. By answering questions, young learners can build a strong foundation for social-emotional learning, as they learn...
Teaching the Conversation Share Skill to Kindergarten Students
Introduction Sharing is a fundamental concept that children learn from an early age. While sharing toys and games is essential, sharing in conversations is equally important. The Conversation Share skill involves taking turns in speaking, ensuring that everyone gets...
Solve It: A Step-by-Step Problem-Solving Game for Special Education Students
Introduction Problem-solving is a critical skill for students in special education settings. The Solve It game is designed to help these students navigate social situations by breaking down problems into manageable steps. This game not only encourages students to...
Exploring Direct and Indirect Communication Styles for High School Students
Introduction Communication is a vital skill in our everyday lives, and understanding the differences between direct and indirect styles can greatly improve the way we interact with others. Speaking directly means stating exactly what you are thinking, whereas indirect...
Being Tuned In: A Key Skill for Students in Special Education
Introduction Being Tuned In involves being aware of our own actions and the actions of others around us. This skill helps students ensure that their actions are appropriate for the current situation, time, and place. By practicing Being Tuned In, students can avoid...
Unlocking Your Learning Style: A Guide for High School Educators
Introduction Understanding the various learning styles is essential for educators working with High School students. Every student has a unique way of learning, which might be different from their peers. By identifying their learning style, students can maximize their...
Teaching Problem-Solving Skills and Emotion Management to Middle School Students
Introduction We all face problems in our day-to-day lives at home and at school. Some of our problems are from mistakes we made, like oversleeping and missing the bus. Other problems are out of our control and are bad luck, like our game getting rained out. While we...
Teaching Conversation Skills to Kindergarten Students: Tips for Educators
As educators, we understand the importance of teaching social-emotional learning skills to our young students. One vital aspect of this learning process is teaching conversation skills, which helps students develop meaningful connections with their peers. In this blog...
Teaching Empathy: A Guide for Educators
Introduction Empathy is a crucial skill that helps students understand and connect with others. It allows them to recognize and share the emotions of their peers, fostering healthy relationships and a supportive community. This blog post will outline an...