Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
How to Build Student Agency: Resources & Strategies
Empowering students to take charge of their own learning is one of the most impactful things educators can do. When students develop agency, they build the skills needed to set goals, make decisions, and navigate challenges with confidence. In today’s educational...
How Everyday Speech Supports Balanced Screen Time in Schools
As more districts move to reduce screen time in schools, the challenge isn’t just about limiting how long students are on screens—it’s about making sure that technology use is intentional and impactful. District leaders are navigating how to maintain the benefits of...
How Everyday Speech Supports the New Massachusetts IEP
The new Massachusetts IEP brings a major shift in how schools approach individualized education plans, with a stronger emphasis on student-centered learning, self-advocacy, and transition planning. These updates are designed to ensure that students take a more active...
The Best No-Prep Problem-Solving Activities for PK-12 Students
Problem-solving is an essential skill that helps students navigate challenges in academics, relationships, and daily life. Whether working through a math problem, resolving a disagreement, or making a decision about time management, problem-solving encourages critical...
5 Proactive Strategies to Reduce Disproportionality in Special Education
Special education services are essential for students who need them, but systemic disparities in how students are identified and placed can lead to disproportionality. In many schools, certain student groups—particularly students of color, English language learners,...
The Principal’s Guide to Strengthening Behavior and School Culture with Social Skills Supports
As a principal, you’re always looking for ways to improve student behavior, build a positive school culture, and support teachers—but time and resources are limited. When classrooms struggle with behavior challenges, it affects learning, teacher morale, and the...
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...
No-Prep Activities
Changing the Channel on Big Emotions: A Guide for Educators
Introduction Emotions and feelings are an inherent part of our daily experiences, and they can be both positive and negative. Sometimes, we encounter big, negative emotions like anger, frustration, or sadness, which can dominate our thoughts and impact our...
Teaching Conflict Resolution and Problem Solving Skills to Special Education Students
Introduction Conflicts are a normal part of life, and learning how to navigate them is an essential skill for students in Special Education. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of teaching students to handle conflicts with friends using the Problem...
5 Golden Rules of Play for Elementary Students: A Guide for Educators
Introduction Playing with others is an essential part of children's development, and establishing a set of guidelines can help ensure that everyone has a positive experience. The Five Golden Rules of Play are designed to help elementary students learn how to interact...
Enhancing Focus and Self-Regulation with the Five Finger Breathing Exercise
Introduction Incorporating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into the classroom is essential for fostering healthy emotional development, social skills, and overall well-being in students. One effective way to introduce SEL is by teaching students self-regulation...
Teaching Kindergarten Students the Importance of Asking Permission
Introduction Asking permission is a crucial skill for young learners to develop. It teaches them the importance of respecting others' belongings and personal space, and helps to foster a positive classroom environment. In this blog post, we will discuss the concept of...
Teaching Problem-Solving Skills through Social-Emotional Learning
Introduction Problem-solving skills are essential for students, especially those in special education. These skills can help students navigate their emotions, communicate effectively, and build positive relationships with peers and educators. In this blog post, we'll...
Teaching High School Students the Art of Humility and Avoiding Bragging
Introduction As educators, it's essential to help our high school students develop strong social-emotional skills. One such skill is understanding the importance of humility and how to avoid bragging. Bragging can make others feel annoyed or inferior, and it's crucial...
Understanding Relationships with the Relationship Ruler for PreK Students
Introduction As educators, it's essential to teach PreK students about the relationships they have with different people in their lives. Developing an understanding of these relationships helps them interact appropriately with others and fosters healthy...
Empathy: A Key Skill for Building Strong Friendships in Middle School
Introduction Empathy is the ability to understand how someone else feels and show care for their feelings through words and actions. It forms the foundation of strong relationships and helps us forge bonds with others. In a world where friendships play a crucial role,...
Teaching Kindergarten Students to Walk Slowly and Quietly in the Halls
As educators, we aim to create a respectful and calm learning environment for our students. One essential aspect of this is teaching them how to walk slowly and quietly in the halls. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity to help Kindergarten students...
Teaching Open-mindedness to Elementary Students: Activities and Discussions
Introduction Dealing with change and accepting others' ideas can be challenging for children. When a child has a Closed Mind, they stick to their own ideas and are unwilling to consider other perspectives. This mindset can lead to feelings of worry and frustration and...
Developing Independence: A Guide for Educators of Middle School Students
Introduction Gaining independence is a crucial part of growing up, especially for middle school students. As they grow, students learn to take initiative, do things on their own, and rely less on others for guidance. Developing independence has numerous positive...
Switching Tracks: Adapting to Change in Group Activities
Introduction Switching Tracks is a crucial skill that helps students adapt to change, particularly when working in groups. Change can be challenging, and unexpected alterations in plans can cause feelings of anxiety or upset. To better navigate these situations,...
Teaching PreK Students the Value of Helping Others and Building Friendships
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of teaching young children the value of helping others and building strong friendships. By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning, educators can impart essential life skills that will enable students to...
Teaching Effective Classroom Entry Skills: Activities and Discussions
Creating a positive learning environment starts with how students enter the classroom. Teaching students effective classroom entry skills is an essential aspect of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). In this blog post, we will discuss an easy-to-implement no-prep...