Common ASL Signs to Learn First
You know that you want to learn to communicate better with your deaf/ hard of hearing child. But, you don’t know how to get started learning ASL or what signs to learn first? That’s where learning the most common asl signs can help you learn quickly and start to communicate right away!
Did you know that only 30% of parents who have Deaf children ever learn sign language to communicate with their kids?
It’s so hard when you are frusterated around communicating with your kids! When I learned that statistic I was determined that I was going to be in the 70% that DID learn sign language for their child!
But, I was definitely a little overwhelmed at the prospect of learning an entirely new language with 3 young kids at my feet and a whole house to keep up every day!
As a parent of a child with hearing loss, you may also wonder how you can learn sign language with kids running around at home, and which signs you should start with.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of learning sign language and explore the most common ASL signs you should know. These will get you started learning and communicating with ASL easily and quickly!
The Importance of Learning Sign Language
As a parent of a child with hearing loss, I know that you are fixated on language and communication above all else!
Communication is one of the most basic needs of humans. Every person and child who walks the earth needs to find a way to express themselves and communicate their basic needs and wants.
Sometimes, that commuication comes with sign language and not talking.
The importance of learning sign language for your child is that you have a way to talk with your child who might be nonverbal right now.
When you can learn a few basic signs to start to teach your child, then everything becomes easier! It’s a huge relief when you can understand that you child wants water or needs to eat or go to sleep.
The benefits of learning sign language go beyond communication alone. It’s a journey that fosters empathy, understanding, and inclusivity of your child’s world of hearing loss.
Common ASL Signs to Learn
When you embark on the journey of learning sign language for the first time, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed when faced with the all of the signs and gestures that need to be memorized.
However, fear not! There are a few key signs that you can begin with which will super helpful in the day-to-day interactions with your child.
These commonly used ASL signs will provide a strong foundation for effective communication and understanding.
So, embrace the challenge, take it one sign at a time, and unlock the beautiful world of sign language!
Yes and No
Knowing how to say “yes” and “no” is simple yet essential in communicating with your child. The sign for “yes” is made by putting your hand into a fist and moving it up and down. The sign for “no” is done by taking your thumb, index finger and middle finger and opening and closing them together.
More and Done
These two signs are equally important for your child to know that they need more of something (like food or help) or are done with a particular task. The sign for “more” involves tapping the fingertips together, while the sign for “done” involves taking both hands and wiping them outward
Thank You
Expressing gratitude and appreciation is important in any communication, and sign language has its own beautiful way of doing it. The sign for “thank you” is made by placing the fingers of your hand to your chin, then moving your hand forward.
Help
When your child needs assistance or is in danger, the sign for “help” provides a quick and effective means of communication. The sign for “help” involves putting your hand in a fist with the thumb up, and moving it up and down over your second hand.
Mom, Dad, and Family
Children want to express themselves to their parents and loved ones, and sign language makes it possible to do so. The signs for “mom,” “dad,” and “family” are made by touching your thumb to your chin and then touching your thumb to your forehead, respectively. You can also learn the signs for brother and sister if your child has siblings
Play signs
It’s important to learn the signs that your child uses in play time! Finding the signs for play, toys, books, and even sand and water help to facilitate better playing for your child!
Food signs
It’s a basic necessity for humans to eat, and learning food signs is a great way to communicate with your child because they eat 3 times a day.
These are the resources that I recommend to get started learning ASL signs! Once you learn the signs you can start to combine them together for longer sentences.
American Sign Language for Beginners: Learn Signing Essentials in 30 Days (American Sign Language Guides)ASL Flash Cards – 50 American Sign Language Flash Cards for Beginners, Kids, Teens and Adults
American Sign Language Poster Set for Kids and Beginners – Large Set ASL Charts for Classroom, Wall Decor, and Homeschooling – Perfect for Babies, Toddlers and Foreign Language Learners, 16×20 in
Learning sign language is a rewarding and fulfilling experience that can help you build stronger bonds with your child.
By learning just a few common ASL signs, you can easily communicate with your child in everyday situations.
With time and patience, you’ll be able to communicate with your child effortlessly, and who knows—you may even discover a new passion for the beautiful language of sign!
more resources for learning asl
The Advantages of Sign Language
