Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Everyday Speech Pre-K Materials Are Here!
Who is that in the photo in the picture frame? You asked, we delivered: Everyday Speech is proud to announce our brand new preschool and kindergarten curriculum. New videos, interactive activities, and games are launching this...
Social-Emotional Benefits of Eating Family Dinner Together
In homes across the country, many Americans sit down at the dinner table each night as a family to enjoy each other’s company and a hot meal. This sacred tradition, often referred to as the ‘family dinner’, wasn’t truly formed until the late 18th century when dining...
The Importance of Setting Boundaries
Guest post by Laurel Mendoza, MA, CCC-SLP, in partnership with eLuma Online Therapy. A boundary is a limit you place on the behaviors of both yourself and other people. It is the way you communicate what is and isn’t acceptable, or how others should and shouldn’t...
Celebrating Black History Month in the Classroom
February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of the achievements of many Black Americans who played central roles in U.S. history. February was chosen to celebrate Black History Month as it is the birth month of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and of...
How to Apply Love Languages in the Classroom
Valentine’s Day usually involves the exchanging of flowers, candy, and gifts between loved ones. It's a reminder to show appreciation for the important people in our lives, and it's also a fun reason to have a classroom party in February! ? Looking for Valentine's Day...
What Should You Do With Kids Who Are Bored at Home?
For many of us, 2020 included spending a significant amount of time quarantined at home. Without weekend plans with friends, travel, or even just the simple luxury of getting out of the house mask-less, we were forced to occupy our time in our homes, where that...
4 Tips to Cure the Winter Blues
It’s January. Getting out of bed in the morning is extra challenging and you can hardly remember the last time you saw the sun. Your New Year’s resolutions are piling up faster than the snow outside. The days are longer and colder and your mood reflects it. Welcome to...
Self-Esteem and Self-Worth: How to Teach Both
According to Merriam-Webster, the terms ‘self-esteem’ and ‘self-worth’ are synonymous, but we are here to tell you differently. Even though the two terms share a prefix, they are in fact different, describing completely separate traits within ourselves. Understanding...
Martin Luther King Jr (MLK) SEL Material
Martin Luther King Junior stood for understanding and equality. As an added bonus to this week's Material Mix Monday, we've also created a new activity for MLK Day that asks students what they can do to change the world for the better. Students...
No-Prep Activities
Teaching Job Application Skills: A Guide for Educators
Introduction Preparing students for the job market is a crucial aspect of their education. This blog post will discuss the importance of teaching job application skills, an essential part of Social-Emotional Learning. We'll explore a no-prep activity for educators,...
Teaching Elementary Students to Stay Positive and Keep Trying
As educators, we understand the importance of teaching our students to persevere through challenges and maintain a positive mindset. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity that encourages students to stay positive and keep trying, even when faced with...
Fork in the Road: Conversation Drivers and Stoppers for High School Students
Introduction Welcome to Fork in the Road, a game where students explore the impact of different behaviors on social interactions. In this activity, high school students will examine situations involving Conversation Drivers and Conversation Stoppers. Conversation...
Teaching Students to Tune In: Activities and Discussions for Social-Emotional Learning
Introduction In today's fast-paced world, it's more important than ever for students to develop the ability to tune in to their environment and understand how their actions affect others. This is a crucial aspect of Social-Emotional Learning, and when practiced...
Two Sides: A Fun Game to Teach Conversation Skills to Elementary Students
Introduction Teaching conversation skills to elementary students is essential for their social-emotional development. In this blog post, we will explore an engaging game called "Two Sides," which focuses on Conversation Drivers and Conversation Stoppers. Conversation...
Teaching the Importance of Hygiene: Activities and Discussions for Educators
Introduction Hygiene is an essential aspect of our daily lives that contributes to our overall health and well-being. It also plays a crucial role in our social interactions, as good hygiene makes other people feel comfortable around us. As educators, teaching...
Wake Up Your Body: Stretching for Kindergarten Students
Introduction As an educator, it's essential to incorporate activities that promote social-emotional learning (SEL) into your students' daily routines. One such activity is stretching, which helps students release tension, increase energy, and improve focus. In this...
Tuning In: A Guide to Helping PreK Students Become More Aware of Their Surroundings and Others
In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of being tuned in to our surroundings and the feelings of others, especially for PreK students. This skill is essential for developing empathy, self-awareness, and effective communication. By practicing this skill,...
Teaching Storytelling Skills to Kindergarten Students
Storytelling is an essential skill for children to develop as they grow. It helps them to communicate, express their feelings, and connect with others. In this blog post, we will discuss how to teach storytelling skills to kindergarten students using a simple, no-prep...
Oral Hygiene: A Key Component of Social Interactions for Students
Introduction Oral hygiene is an essential aspect of personal cleanliness that can significantly impact our social interactions. Ensuring our mouths are clean and our breath smells good can make a world of difference in how we communicate and connect with others. This...
Teaching Small Talk Skills to Special Education Students: Tips and Activities
Introduction Small talk is an essential social skill that helps individuals initiate and maintain conversations with others. It can be especially beneficial for special education students, as it fosters a sense of belonging and encourages social interaction. In this...
Teaching PreK Students to Stay Calm and Solve Problems
In this blog post, we will explore a valuable skill for PreK students: learning how to stay calm and solve problems. This skill is important in preventing small issues from escalating into bigger ones and promoting healthy relationships with peers. We will provide a...
Observing Others: A Key Skill for Adapting to New Situations
When students are in new situations or doing something they've never done before, it can feel intimidating. A valuable skill for students, especially those in special education, is learning to observe others to understand how to act in these situations. This blog post...
The Art of Asking for Permission: Social-Emotional Learning in Action
Introduction In the classroom and in everyday life, it's important for students to learn the value of asking for permission when using or borrowing items that don't belong to them. This essential social skill helps to promote respect, kindness, and empathy towards...
Teaching PreK Students to Ask Friends to Play: Activity and Discussion
Introduction Developing social skills is an essential part of early childhood education. One crucial skill for young children is learning how to ask friends to play. This blog post will guide educators through an engaging no-prep activity, discussion questions, and...