Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Quick iPad Tips for Efficient Speech & Language Therapy
As an SLP, it's pretty much a given now that you're working with an iPad. At times, the iPad can be a great tool and opens us up to a world of possibilities. Other times, it can be frustrating to try to figure out what the hundreds of different settings do! Today I'm...
Fresh Ideas for Summer Speech Lessons
For those of you working over the summer, I’ve been brainstorming some fun thematic speech lessons. One of the schools I work in over the summer selects a theme for each classroom, ranging from outer space, countries, to ocean animals, etc. Bouncing ideas off of the...
Using Readily Available Material for Speech and Language Sessions
As SLP’s we’re always on the hunt for new materials to use. Instead of spending time that we probably don’t have searching, I’ve been trying to use my time wisely and take advantage of materials that are ready to go. Local online newspaper sites are the perfect go-to...
Fun Book Series for Speech and Language Development!
This spring I was introduced to an adorable book series by a co-worker. Will Hillenbrand’s Bear and Mole stories are the perfect go-to book for literacy or speech activities. They were written for 4-6 year olds but I use them with older students, ages 7-9, who have...
The Importance of Teaching Social Skills
A huge part of my job as a speech therapist is teaching social skills to children and young adults. People are often surprised at that and ask me why a speech therapist would teach social skills. The biggest reason we work on them is because they are an integral part...
Apps + Websites for the Visually Impaired
UPDATE: We've released an eBook - "The Ultimate Guide to the iPad for Speech Pathology and Special Education". It has all the tips and tricks you need to become an iPad master. Best of all, it's FREE. Grab your copy here. Hey everyone, we're back from a couple week...
Adventures in AT: Switch Accessible Websites
For a long time I didn’t have many resources for switch users in my SLP bag of tricks. I’ve recently devoted more time to finding new websites that are switch accessible (can be controlled by a switch) and want to share them! The following websites have great free...
Introducing Spritz: How Will Speed Reading Affect Assistive Technology?
There’s a lot of buzz about a new type of software designed to increase the speed of reading. Boston-based startup Spritz has developed software that completely changes the way we read. The software is a textbox that flashes words at you from speeds of 250-500...
Resources for Teaching Social Intimacy & Relationships to Students with Communication and Emotional Differences
When working with adolescents and young adults who have communication, social, and emotional differences, concerns arise around the issue of social and sexual intimacy and health. Students at the high school level are very much interested in dating, just like their...
No-Prep Activities
Understanding Consequences and Accepting Them: A Guide for Kindergarten Educators
Introduction Consequences are an integral part of life, and learning to understand and accept them is a crucial skill for young students. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of consequences, both positive and negative, and provide educators with an easy,...
Helping Kindergarten Students Cope with Overwhelming Situations
Introduction Children in kindergarten may sometimes find themselves in situations where they feel overwhelmed or anxious, such as when they are exposed to loud noises, bright lights, or new smells. As educators, it's important to teach students how to identify their...
Teaching PreK Students to Express Feelings Through Tone of Voice
Introduction Understanding and expressing emotions are essential aspects of social-emotional learning. For young children, learning to express their feelings through words, actions, and tone of voice can be challenging. By helping PreK students recognize the...
Effective Decision-Making Strategies for Special Education Students
It is estimated that the average person makes close to one million decisions in their lifetime! That's a lot of decisions. As we get older, we are faced with bigger, more complex decisions. This includes decisions that involve: our relationships with others, our...
Teaching the Value of Asking Questions in the Classroom
Introduction Asking questions is a crucial skill that students need to develop, as it helps them to clarify information, deepen their understanding, and build confidence. In the classroom, students may sometimes be hesitant to ask questions due to fear of being judged...
Humor in PreK Friendships: Activities and Tips for Educators
Humor plays a crucial role in the development of friendships and social connections among PreK students. As educators, it's important to teach our young students the appropriate use of humor and help them navigate different social situations with ease. In this blog...
Teaching Humor Skills in Social-Emotional Learning: Activities and Tips
Introduction Humor plays a significant role in forming friendships and maintaining relationships. It helps us connect with others, lighten the mood, and spread joy. Understanding different types of humor and using it appropriately can be challenging, but essential in...
Teaching Tone of Voice Recognition to Kindergarten Students
Introduction Teaching Kindergarten students to recognize and understand the tone of voice is a crucial aspect of their social-emotional development. This skill helps children identify emotions, communicate effectively, and respond appropriately in social situations....
Changing the Channel on Strong Emotions: Strategies for High School Students
Introduction Strong emotions like anger, frustration, or sadness can sometimes cloud our judgment and hinder our decision-making abilities. In order to make better decisions, it is crucial to learn how to manage these emotions and shift our focus to positive thoughts....
Teaching Kindergarten Students the Art of Greeting: A No-Prep Activity and Discussion Guide
Introduction As educators, it's our responsibility to help young learners develop essential social-emotional skills that will serve them throughout their lives. One such critical skill is the art of greeting, which helps foster positive relationships and effective...
Hygiene Matters: Fostering Good Hygiene Habits for Students in Special Education
Introduction Hygiene is an essential aspect of our daily lives, playing a crucial role in maintaining our health and social interactions. For students in Special Education, understanding and practicing good hygiene is an important skill to develop. In this blog post,...
Building Friendships in Kindergarten: A Guide for Educators
Introduction Friendship is an essential aspect of social-emotional learning for kindergarten students. A friend is someone who cares about your feelings, makes you feel comfortable, and is someone you can trust. Building friendships involves learning about others,...
Teaching Empathy to High School Students: Activities and Discussions
Introduction Empathy is a critical skill for high school students to develop. It enables them to understand and share the feelings of others, fostering positive relationships and social interactions. By teaching students to put themselves in someone else's shoes,...
Understanding Oversharing: A Guide for Educators
As educators, we play an essential role in teaching students the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries in their interpersonal relationships. In this blog post, we will discuss the concept of oversharing and offer a no-prep activity, discussion questions,...
Teaching Students the Consequences of Actions and Accepting Them Positively
Introduction As educators, especially those working with students in Special Education, it's important to teach the concept that actions have consequences. These consequences can be either positive or negative, depending on the action taken. It's normal for students...