Students and staff at Lyn Public School are proving that social-emotional learning can blossom in unexpected ways. What began as daily lessons using the Everyday Speech program in the Kindergarten classrooms has grown into a hands-on, student-led learning experience that is now being shared with schools across the region.
The Kindergarten team at Lyn PS uses Everyday Speech, a digital social-emotional learning program that helps students develop important life skills such as self-regulation, empathy, self-advocacy, and conversation skills through engaging video modelling and interactive games. The program has become a meaningful part of the classroom routine, with students forming strong connections to the program’s plant-inspired characters, especially “Spike” the cactus.
Seeing how much the students connected with the character, classroom Educational Assistant Mrs. Wichers brought in a real cactus plant that closely resembled Spike. This sparked excitement and curiosity throughout the classroom, inspiring students to imagine what it would be like to bring all of the Everyday Speech characters to life.
From there, the project continued to grow. The group planted and cared for real plants representing the Everyday Speech characters. The experience created a powerful connection between social-emotional learning and experiential, inquiry-based learning, while also encouraging responsibility, teamwork, and creativity.
Before long, the classroom had an abundance of thriving plants. Students suggested sharing both the plants and their learning with other schools, helping launch what became known as the “Everyday Speech Tour.”
On May 22, students visited Swift Waters Elementary School and Vanier Public School as part of the tour. During the visits, students shared the plants they had grown, performed a student-created song, participated in sample lessons, and demonstrated how Everyday Speech can be integrated into Kindergarten classroom routines.
The project also gave students an opportunity to connect directly with the Everyday Speech team. During a virtual meeting with Brittany Brunell, Co-Founder and Chief Learning Officer, students shared feedback about the program and suggested ideas for future lesson topics. The experience empowered students by giving them an authentic voice in shaping a program they care deeply about.
To celebrate the partnership, classroom educators received Everyday Speech shirts featuring the program’s characters. Inspired by the shirts, students worked alongside classroom RECE Mrs. Roy to design and create their own shirts to wear during the tour visits.
Educators involved in the project say the Everyday Speech program has provided students with valuable tools to better understand emotions, regulate feelings, and build positive relationships with others. More importantly, they say the project highlights the incredible impact of student voice, creativity, and responsive learning opportunities.
What started with one cactus named Spike has now grown into a memorable learning experience rooted in kindness, connection, and community.