Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Free Preschool Problem-Solving Activity: Who Can Help?
Preschoolers are still learning how to navigate everyday challenges—whether it’s tying their shoes, feeling sad, or losing a favorite toy. At this age, one of the most important problem-solving skills they can develop is knowing who to ask for help in different...
Free Middle School Problem-Solving Activity: Learning to Compromise
Middle school students encounter situations that require compromise every day—choosing group project topics, negotiating plans with friends, or sharing common spaces at home and school. However, learning how to find solutions that work for everyone takes practice....
Free Middle School Problem-Solving Activity: Understanding the Problem Scale
Middle schoolers encounter challenges every day—forgetting homework, dealing with friendship conflicts, missing the bus, or feeling overwhelmed by assignments. But not every problem is the same. Some are small and can be solved independently, while others are more...
Problem-Solving Activity for Elementary: Finding Solutions
Every day, elementary students face challenges—whether it’s figuring out how to fix a mistake, navigating a disagreement with a classmate, or deciding what to do when they forget an assignment. The ability to think through these situations and make thoughtful...
How Everyday Speech Creates Engaging Video Lessons for Secondary Students
Engaging middle and high school students in relevant, collaborative learning experiences is a challenge many educators face. Research shows that student engagement is linked to critical outcomes such as academic achievement, school completion, and overall well-being....
Free High School Problem-Solving Activity: Brainstorming Solutions
High school students encounter challenges every day—balancing academics, managing friendships, dealing with frustration, and making tough decisions about the future. Without effective problem-solving skills, they may feel stuck, react impulsively, or struggle to find...
Teaching the Problem-Solving Process: Free Poster & Lesson Plan for Elementary Students
Every day, elementary students face challenges—whether it’s figuring out how to fix a mistake, resolve a disagreement, or make a tough decision. But without a clear process, students may feel frustrated, stuck, or unsure of what to do next. That’s why teaching a...
Free Preschool & Kindergarten Problem-Solving Activity: My Problem-Solving Toolbox
Problem-solving is one of the most important skills young learners can develop. Every day, preschoolers and kindergarteners face small challenges—sharing toys, taking turns, finding missing items, or figuring out what to do when something doesn’t go as planned. At...
Free Problem-Solving Lesson Plan for High School: The Problem Scale
High school students face challenges every day—missed assignments, social conflicts, test anxiety, and big decisions about the future. Without the right skills, they may feel overwhelmed, react impulsively, or struggle to find effective solutions. One of the most...
No-Prep Activities
Turn-Taking Skills for Kindergarten Students: An Activity and Discussion Guide
Introduction Turn-taking is a fundamental social skill that kindergarten students need to learn in order to develop positive relationships with their peers. By practicing turn-taking, children learn to share, cooperate, and communicate effectively with others. This...
Teaching PreK Students the Importance of Staying with the Group
Introduction In the early stages of a child's development, learning to stay with the group is crucial for fostering positive social interactions and building strong relationships. This blog post will focus on an engaging no-prep activity for teaching PreK students the...
Teaching Kindergarten Students to Recognize and Manage Upset Feelings
Introduction Helping young students understand and manage their feelings is crucial for their personal and social development. In this blog post, we'll explore an engaging no-prep activity that can help Kindergarten students learn to recognize when they're feeling...
Teaching the Two Sides Game: Think It or Say It for Special Education Students
Introduction The Two Sides game is a valuable tool for educators working with special education students, focusing on social-emotional learning and encouraging thoughtful communication. In this game, students learn to differentiate between thoughts that should be...
Teaching Personal Hygiene: Public vs. Private Habits in Special Education
Introduction In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of teaching personal hygiene habits to students in special education settings. Personal hygiene refers to the practices we engage in to keep our bodies clean and healthy. Some personal hygiene habits are...
Teaching Kindergarteners to Think Before They Speak
As educators, we strive to teach our students not only academic skills but also important social-emotional skills. One such skill is the ability to think before speaking, especially when it comes to potentially hurtful thoughts. By teaching kindergarten students to...
Teaching Independence to PreK Students: Activities and Discussions
Developing independence is an essential skill for young children. As they grow, they will encounter situations that require them to be self-sufficient and make decisions on their own. In this blog post, we will explore an engaging, no-prep activity that promotes...
Teaching Students to Stay Calm and Focused When Others Aren’t Following Rules
Introduction As educators, one of our primary goals is to help students develop the necessary skills to navigate social situations and maintain focus in the classroom. One such skill that is especially important for students in special education is learning how to...
Teaching Waiting and Safe Hands Skills to Special Education Students
Introduction Teaching waiting and safe hands skills to students in special education is essential to their social-emotional development. These skills help students practice patience, self-control, and respect for others' personal space. This blog post will explore an...
Teaching Kindergarten Students the Conversation Stoplight: When to Talk and When to Listen
Introduction The Conversation Stoplight is a powerful tool for teaching young students how to effectively communicate in social settings. It helps them understand when to talk and when to listen, whether they're engaging with one person or a group. By using the...
Metacognition: Enhancing Self-Awareness in Special Education Students
Introduction As educators, we strive to provide our students with the tools they need to succeed academically and socially. One essential skill that can greatly benefit students in special education is metacognition. Metacognition, or "thinking about your thinking,"...
Teaching Students to Think About Others’ Feelings: Activities & Discussions
Introduction Incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in the classroom helps students develop empathy and better understand the feelings of their peers. By teaching students to think about others' feelings, educators can foster positive...
Helping Students Adapt to Changes in Plans and Develop Coping Strategies
Introduction Change is an inevitable part of life, and it's crucial for students to develop the ability to adapt to changes in their plans. This can be especially challenging for some students who may feel anxious or upset when confronted with unexpected situations....
Teaching Positive Self-Talk: Activities and Discussion for High School Students
Introduction Positive self-talk is a powerful tool that can help high school students overcome challenges and build their self-esteem. By replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, students can gain confidence and develop a more optimistic outlook on life. In...
Learning to Accept Help: A Guide for Elementary Educators
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of teaching students to accept help from others, especially when they are struggling with a task. Accepting help is a crucial social-emotional skill that can enhance students' learning experiences and foster a positive...