The Easiest Way to Learn ASL While at Home With Your Kids
As a parent of a child with hearing loss, you may be wondering how you can improve communication with your child. One solution could be to learn American Sign Language (ASL)! However, you want to learn the language without adding another thing to your plate. I get it. Today we’re going to talk about the easiest way to learn asl and get you signing in no time!
I know that it can be intimidating to learn a new language. Especially when you weren’t expecting to have a child with hearing loss.
In addition, you probably feel like you have to do this on top of everything else that you’re already doing on a daily basis.
I get that! We are currently learning ASL for my middle son, who is hard of hearing even with his cochlear implants.
I’ve wavered between all- in on wanting to communicate with my son, and also feeling overwhelmed because I have so much to do with just taking care of the kids and the house.
But, I decided to give myself grace and let us learn one day at a time.
It can be a long process to learn a language, but with these tips you can learn ASL faster and easier to better communicate with your child.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the easiest way for parents to learn ASL to better communicate with their child.
Easiest Way to Learn ASL
The journey of learning ASL, like any language, starts with mastering the basics.
Begin with the ASL alphabet, numbers, common phrases, and greetings. This initial foundation will significantly aide in your ability to construct sentences and communicate effectively.
It’s also important to keep in mind that ASL is a language all on it’s own, and it’s different from English.
In fact, Deaf people who know both ASL and English are considered to be bilingual and fluent in two languages!
Learning a language can take time to master, and it’s important to keep in mind that it might take some time to learn.
However, you can easily start with just ASL signs and progress to sentences later on!
The next tips will give you some advice on making ASL learning a bit easier on you.
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Start by learning basic signs
When embarking on the journey of learning a new language, you have to begin with a solid foundation.
To kickstart your ASL learning experience, it’s advisable to start with common and useful phrases like “hello,” “goodbye,” and “thank you.”
Fortunately, numerous online resources provide free videos teaching ASL signs. There are also comprehensive sign language dictionaries, making it easier than ever to dive into the world of ASL.
You can also start by teaching your child the basics as well! You can start to communicate using just simple one or two signs and build up your fluency in the language from there.
But I would start with the most used words and phrases in your home to kickstart communication with your child.
Practice asl signs daily
The best way to learn a new language is to practice it regularly, incorporating it into your daily routine.
That is to say, you can sign at any point during the day!
The best advice that I recieved was through students who studied ASL at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. They practiced signing at all times- on the bus to classes, while talking to each other, while ordering coffee, etc.
Get into the habit of using ASL in your daily life, even if your child isn’t around. By practicing each day you develop a habit around the signs and you start to associate signs with your daily routine.
You will be amazed at how fast your learn the signs when you use them everyday!
Use online resources
With the rapid advancements in technology, accessing online resources for learning American Sign Language (ASL) has become more convenient than ever before.
There are several reputable websites, such as ASLDeafined, Start ASL, and Life Print that offer comprehensive ASL courses.
These courses include video lessons, interactive practice sessions, and various learning materials to help you grasp the language effectively.
Additionally, YouTube is an excellent platform to explore for ASL videos and tutorials.
It provides a vast array of resources, allowing you to learn and practice ASL comfortably from the convenience of your own home.
Whether you are a beginner or looking to improve your ASL skills, these online platforms offer a wealth of opportunities to enhance your signing abilities and broaden your understanding of the deaf community.
Learning ASL may seem daunting at first, but it is a valuable skill that not only improves communication with your child but also opens up opportunities to connect with the Deaf community.
By following these easy steps, you’ll be signing and communicating with your child in no time. Remember to have fun and keep practicing!
more resources to learn asl
Common ASL Signs to Learn First
Don’t forget to sign up to teach your kids to sign!
