Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
50+ Examples of Strengths-Based IEP Goals for Students
Download 50+ Example IEP Goals Customizable library of strengths-based goalsIEP goals should empower students. Instead of focusing on eliminating challenges, strengths-based IEP goals emphasize autonomy, self-advocacy, and meaningful skill development. Below are real...
How to Set Neurodiversity-Affirming IEP Goals that Support Autonomy and Authenticity
Download 50+ Example IEP Goals Customizable library of strengths-based goalsToo often, Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals are written with the assumption that neurodivergent students must adapt to neurotypical behaviors. But what if we shifted the focus to...
The Double Empathy Problem: How to Improve Classroom Understanding
Communication is often seen as a skill that neurodivergent students must improve, but what if the challenge lies in mutual understanding? Enter the Double Empathy Problem. What is the Double Empathy Problem? For decades, social skills education for neurodivergent...
Understanding Masking and Supporting Neurodivergent Students
Masking is a common but often misunderstood behavior among neurodivergent students, impacting their well-being and social interactions. In schools, many students feel pressured to suppress their natural behaviors to fit in, but this can take a significant toll on...
A Guide to Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices in Schools
For years, social skills instruction in schools has been built around compliance—teaching neurodivergent students to conform to neurotypical expectations. While often well-intended, this approach can inadvertently encourage masking, increase anxiety, and erode...
An SCSS Teacher Shares How Everyday Speech Reduced Prep Time & Burnout
For educators like Maci Allee, a Social Communication Support and Services (SCSS) teacher at Leander Independent School District, lesson planning used to be a time-consuming, energy-draining process. Before discovering Everyday Speech, she spent hours searching the...
How to Bring Everyday Speech to Your District
Everyday Speech transforms the way you teach social skills, helping students thrive while saving you valuable time. If you’re looking for ways to make this resource available to your entire team, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll share strategies to help you...
How Everyday Speech Empowers Student Support Teams
Student Support Teams play a critical role in fostering the social and behavioral growth of students. Everyday Speech is here to make this work simpler and more effective. With a no-prep social skills curriculum designed for busy professionals, we reduce prep time,...
How Everyday Speech Supports School Counselors (with Example Videos & Games!)
School counselors play a pivotal role in guiding students through their academic, social, and behavioral challenges. From helping students regulate their emotions to teaching critical interpersonal and problem-solving skills, counselors address diverse needs to ensure...
No-Prep Activities
The Art of Agreeing More Often Than Disagreeing: A Guide for Educators
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of agreeing more often than disagreeing, and how this practice can contribute to healthy communication and relationships. We'll share a no-prep activity for educators and provide discussion questions to spark deeper...
Teaching Inclusion in the Classroom: Activities and Discussions for Elementary Educators
Introduction Inclusion is a crucial component of social-emotional learning for elementary students. It involves understanding and valuing the diverse backgrounds, interests, and personalities of others. By teaching students to be inclusive, educators can foster a...
Teaching Middle School Students How to Join a Group at the Right Time
Introduction As educators, we understand the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) in the development of our students. One essential skill that middle school students need to learn is how to join a group at the right time. In this blog post, we will discuss an...
Teaching Students to Use a Filter: Think It or Say It
Introduction Helping students develop social-emotional skills is important to create a positive learning environment and foster healthy relationships. One essential skill to focus on is using a filter, or deciding whether to think or say something in a given...
Teaching Elementary Students the Skill of Waiting Patiently
Introduction Patience is an essential social-emotional skill that helps children navigate various situations in life. It enables them to wait their turn, respect others, and develop self-control. This blog post will introduce an engaging no-prep activity for educators...
Choosing Friends: Fostering Healthy Friendships through Social-Emotional Learning
Introduction Friendships play a significant role in our lives, especially during our formative years. As educators, it's essential to teach students the importance of choosing friends who are a good fit. This blog post will explore the concept of selecting friends...
Including Everyone on the Playground: A Guide for Educators
Introduction In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of including everyone on the playground, regardless of interests, abilities, or personalities. We will also explore an activity that requires no preparation, discuss related skills, and provide next steps...
Repair the Conversation: An Engaging Activity for Effective Communication
As educators, we understand the importance of teaching our elementary students strong communication skills. Social-Emotional Learning plays a crucial role in helping children develop these abilities. In this blog post, we'll introduce you to an engaging activity...
Teaching Personal Space and Proximity in Special Education: Activities and Discussions
Incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into special education classrooms can help students navigate social situations with greater ease and confidence. One essential skill to teach is maintaining appropriate personal space and proximity during...
Teaching Inclusiveness: Activities and Discussions to Promote Social Skills
Introduction In today's world, it's crucial for students to develop strong social skills that will help them navigate their personal and professional lives. One such skill is inclusiveness, which refers to the practice of making everyone feel welcome and included in...
Understanding Miscommunication in Text Messages: Activities for Special Education Students
Introduction Texting is a popular, convenient, and enjoyable way to communicate with friends and family. However, understanding the meaning of text messages can sometimes be challenging, especially for students in special education. When we're texting, we don't have...
Background Brief: A Game for Effective Storytelling and Communication
In this blog post, we will introduce an engaging activity called Background Brief, designed to help students develop effective storytelling and communication skills. By identifying missing background information in stories, students will learn the importance of...
Connected Comments: The Puzzle Pieces of Conversations
Introduction In the realm of social-emotional learning, effective communication plays a vital role in fostering healthy relationships and understanding others. One essential aspect of effective communication is the ability to make connected comments during...
Teaching Students When to Say “Sorry” – Strategies for Special Education Educators
Introduction As educators, one of our goals is to help students develop social-emotional skills. An essential skill for students, especially those in special education, is learning when to say "sorry." Apologizing is a vital aspect of maintaining healthy relationships...
Teaching Kindergarten Students the Art of Getting Attention
Introduction As educators, it's important to teach our students the skills they need to navigate social interactions effectively. One such skill is the ability to get someone's attention appropriately. This is especially important for Kindergarten students, as they...