Everyday Speech Blog

Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles

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
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...

Adaptive Games for Kids with Disabilities

I’m always on the hunt for new fun activities to do with my students. I came across an awesome tool to help facilitate games for students who are cognitively or physically impaired. The tool is a spinner made by Ablenet, a company that makes many assistive technology...

Fun Accessible Arts and Crafts

  This year I started working in a group home for people who have multiple disabilities. Working with this new population who are more physically handicapped has forced me to adapt my usual activities and lessons. I want to share some of these fun ideas! These...

New Technology in the Classroom: TAPit

Staying up to date on the newest technological resources in education can be overwhelming! Blogs and Pinterest can be great sources of information to stay in the loop. I recently started using a new piece of equipment, the TAPit. TAPit (Touch Accessible Platform for...

No-Prep Activities

Teaching Students to Be Tuned In: Strategies for Special Education
Teaching Students to Be Tuned In: Strategies for Special Education

Introduction Being tuned in is a crucial skill for students to develop, as it allows them to be more aware of their actions and the actions of others. By understanding the importance of the time and place for certain behaviors, students can make better decisions and...

Teaching Kindergarten Students How to Answer Questions in Class
Teaching Kindergarten Students How to Answer Questions in Class

Introduction Developing appropriate social skills is an essential part of a child's educational journey. One of the first social skills students need to learn is how to answer questions in class. This involves understanding and following social rules, such as waiting...

Teaching Kindergarten Students the Importance of Being Tuned In
Teaching Kindergarten Students the Importance of Being Tuned In

Introduction Being tuned in is an essential skill for kindergarten students as they navigate through their daily activities and social interactions. This concept involves being aware of one's own actions and the actions of others, ensuring that behaviors are...

Understanding Public and Private Topics: An Activity for Educators
Understanding Public and Private Topics: An Activity for Educators

Introduction As educators, it's essential to teach our students the importance of understanding the difference between public and private topics. The ability to recognize and respect the distinction between these two types of topics will help students communicate more...

Teaching Students the Art of Responding to Compliments
Teaching Students the Art of Responding to Compliments

Introduction Compliments are a simple way to make others feel good, build positive relationships, and create a supportive environment. Teaching students the importance of responding to compliments is a crucial aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. This blog post will...

Enhancing Communication Skills through Background Briefs
Enhancing Communication Skills through Background Briefs

Introduction Effective communication is an essential skill for students to develop. It enables them to express their thoughts and feelings, as well as understand others. One crucial aspect of communication is considering the listener's perspective. When sharing a...

Enhancing Communication in Relationships for Middle School Students
Enhancing Communication in Relationships for Middle School Students

Introduction Healthy and happy relationships are built on effective communication. Clear communication helps to avoid misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and confusion. This blog post focuses on improving communication in relationships for middle school students. We...

Teaching Problem-Solving Strategies and Self-Assessment to Students
Teaching Problem-Solving Strategies and Self-Assessment to Students

Introduction As educators, one of our primary goals is to help students develop problem-solving skills and the ability to assess their own situations. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) principles can be applied to teach students how to differentiate between big and...

Teaching the Value of Trust: Keeping Secrets in Middle School
Teaching the Value of Trust: Keeping Secrets in Middle School

Introduction Trust is a fundamental component of any healthy relationship, and it's crucial for students to understand the value of keeping secrets when someone confides in them. When a person shares a secret, they are demonstrating trust in the listener to respect...

Teaching Special Ed Students to Keep Calm and Follow the Group
Teaching Special Ed Students to Keep Calm and Follow the Group

Introduction For students in Special Education, navigating social situations can be challenging. Learning how to keep calm and follow the group when things don't go as expected is an essential skill for these students. In this blog post, we will discuss a no-prep...