How to Learn ASL at Home
Being a parent is a challenging job, but even more so when you have a child with hearing loss. Depending on the degree of hearing loss that your child has, it might be important for you and your family to learn ASL. The good news is that you can learn ASL from your home, rather than having to go out somehwere. In this blog post, we’ll provide practical tips on how to learn ASL at home so you can better communicate with your deaf child.
I know what it feels like to be a parent to multiple kids and be up against learning ASL signs for your kids with hearing loss.
One of my children with hearing loss uses spoken speech as his primary communication, while the other child uses ASL to communicate with us.
At first I was overwhelmed with the idea of having to learn ASL in the middle of parenting little kids.
However, we have taken a step-by-step approach in our house and fit learning ASL at home into our daily routine.
I found that learning at home is the only way I can learn ASL with 3 kids still in the home. That’s why I’m so passionated about teaching other parents how to learn ASL at home as well. Because you can learn to become a fluent signer without even going outside of your house!
I encourage all parents to do what fits for their family. However, for my family, learning ASL for my child has opened up a lot more communication with our child which contributes to a happier, less stressful home overall.
Benefits of Learning ASL at HOme
Learning ASL at home takes motivation and a willingness to commit time to going through lessons and practicing what you learned. If you do this, it can have a lot of benefits for your child.
Firstly, it creates an inclusive environment for your child where they feel understood and valued. This positively impacts their self-esteem and sense of belonging.
Secondly, it allows for flexible learning, as you can adapt the pace of instruction to fit both you and your child’s comprehension level. This leads to better learning outcomes when you can learn and process the lessons at your own pace.
Additionally, learning at home offers convenience and comfort because it eliminates the need for childcare to attend classes in person.
Finally, when the whole family takes part in learning ASL, it not only strengthens communication but also fosters deeper familial bonds.
In the next sections I’ll outline how to learn ASL at home with some practical tips to help your family.
STart with Basic Signs
Just like anything, learning ASL at home starts with learning the foundation of the language. You won’t immediately start signing in full sentences, rather you will work on building your vocabulary with individual ASL signs first.
You must first grasp the basic signs, such as the alphabet, numbers, colors, and common expressions.
However, to the plethora of online resources, you can easily access ASL videos, tutorials, and interactive platforms to enhance your learning.
As you gain confidence with the basics, you can gradually explore more advanced signs, and begin to put the signs together into sentences.
USe Visual Aids When Needed
One effective strategy for learning and remembering signs is to incorporate visual aids such as flashcards, posters, or charts into your home.
By utilizing these tools, you can enhance your understanding and retention of the signs.
To make sure you actually use the flashcards or signs, place them in a prominent location where you and your child can conveniently refer to them whenever needed.
I often put things on the refrigerator because I’m cooking in the kitchen a lot.
I also like to keep pdfs of information on my phone so that I can review them when I’m out waiting in line at the grocery store or in the car pick up line.
I’ve even been known to keep flashcards in my purse and pull them out while standing in the line at the grocery store!
If you are looking for flashcards to practice signs, I really like these sign language flashcards.
Join an Online ASL Course
There are numerous online American Sign Language (ASL) courses available that you can conveniently take from the comfort of your own home.
These courses offer a flexible and self-paced learning experience, which allows you to progress at your own speed while following a structured curriculum.
Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate learner, you can find courses tailored to your level of proficiency.
Some online ASL courses offer interactive video lessons, quizzes, and assignments to provide a comprehensive learning experience.
Additionally, these courses may include opportunities for virtual practice sessions or discussions with fellow learners to further enhance your understanding and fluency in ASL.
Practice Signing Daily
The more you dedicate yourself to practicing American Sign Language (ASL), the more fluent you will become!
Consistently practice signing in your daily life with your child will solidify your learning and your child’s learning.
One of the best ways to make sure that you will keep using the signs daily is to incorporate ASL into your daily routine. For example, practicing during meal times or before bedtime.
You can practice while giving your kids a bath, and even practice while playing toys and games with your kids. Every opportunity is an opportunity to sign!
These regular practice sessions will not only help you and your child feel at ease with using ASL but also increase your confidence in communication.
Connect with the Deaf Community
Engaging with the Deaf community can provide you with a wonderful opportunity to practice and improve your American Sign Language (ASL) skills.
Learning from Deaf individuals is important because you will gain a unique perspective and cultural insights into the Deaf culture.
You can actively seek out deaf events in your local area or connect with Deaf individuals through online platforms dedicated to fostering inclusivity and communication.
One of the ways that we are learning ASL as a family and connecting with the Deaf Community is through DeafCoffee. The website has a list of Deaf chats in your area where you can connect with a Deaf person and practice ASL with them.
Additionally, you can join a local sign language group which enhances your ASL skills and also creates a supportive and community where you can share experiences, challenges, and triumphs on your ASL learning journey.
Learning American Sign Language can be a useful tool for parents of deaf/hard of hearing children.
By learning ASL, you can communicate with your child more effectively and build stronger relationships.
Remember, learning a new language takes time, patience, and practice!
With the right resources and mindset, you can become proficient in ASL and enjoy communicating with your child in a new way.
Don’t forget to sign up for Teach Your Kids to Sign!
more ASL resources
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