7-Day Beginner ASL Challenge for Kids and Families
Free beginner plan for families and classrooms
Start learning ASL with one small practice goal each day.
Use this 7-day beginner ASL challenge to help kids, parents, teachers, and family beginners practice useful signs in short daily sessions with the ASL Kids app, dictionary, and printable lesson plan.
Before you start
ASL is a real language, not just a list of hand signs. This challenge is a practical first step for beginners, but deeper ASL learning should also include Deaf-led resources, qualified ASL teachers, grammar, facial expression, culture, and real conversation practice.
Pick a routine
Choose one daily moment, such as breakfast, bedtime, story time, circle time, or cleanup. Signs become more useful when children can use them immediately.
Keep it tiny
One good five-minute practice is better than a long lesson that nobody wants to repeat tomorrow.
Use support guidance
If your child uses AAC, speech therapy, an IEP, hearing technology, or another communication plan, fit signs into the guidance from your child's care or education team.
The 7-day beginner ASL challenge
Each day has a small theme, a few signs to practice, and one real-life use. Open the ASL Kids app or ASL dictionary whenever you need to see a sign in motion.
Greetings and attention
Try: hello, goodbye, my name, please, help.
Use one greeting at the start of a meal, class, video call, or bedtime routine.
Mealtime signs
Try: more, all done, eat, drink, milk.
Practice during a real snack or meal so signs have an immediate purpose.
Family and people
Try: mom, dad, baby, friend, teacher.
Sign names and family words while looking at photos, drawings, or classroom pictures.
Feelings and needs
Try: happy, sad, hurt, tired, bathroom.
Use signs during check-ins, transitions, or calm-down moments. Model the sign without forcing performance.
Classroom and routine signs
Try: sit, wait, stop, clean up, line up.
Add one sign to circle time, cleanup, lining up, or a homeschool transition.
Alphabet and names
Try: A, B, C, the first letter of each child's name, and name.
Practice fingerspelling slowly. Accuracy matters more than speed for beginners.
Review and choose favorites
Try: five favorite signs from the week.
Let the child choose signs to repeat. Make a small routine card or checklist for next week.
Use the printable pack with this challenge
Print the weekly ASL lesson plan pack, write the day's signs in the blank template, and check off the signs your child used in a real routine.
Quick daily schedule
Use the same small rhythm each day so the challenge feels predictable for kids and easy for adults.
| Minute | What to do | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 1 | Review yesterday's favorite sign. | Old signs stay useful when they keep returning. |
| 1 to 4 | Watch two or three signs in the app or dictionary. | Kids need to see movement, handshape, and direction before copying. |
| 4 to 7 | Use the signs in a real routine. | Context helps the sign become communication, not just memorization. |
| 7 to 10 | Let the child pick one sign to repeat tomorrow. | Choice makes practice more likely to continue. |
What to do after the 7 days
Keep practicing in the app
Pick one category in the ASL Kids app and repeat a few signs each day.
Add a weekly plan
Use the ASL lesson plans for kids page to build a simple theme for the next week.
Build your first 50 signs
Use the First 50 ASL Signs guide to choose practical signs by routine and download the printable checklist.
Follow the full roadmap
Use Start Learning ASL to connect the app, dictionary, first signs, printables, games, and lesson plans into one path.
Choose a learning shelf
For hands-on practice, compare ASL books, flash cards, posters, and learning tools.
Optional starter-kit materials
Affiliate disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. ASL Kids may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
Start Day 1 now
Open the ASL Kids app, choose a few useful signs, and use them during one real routine today. Tomorrow, come back and add the next small set.
FAQ
Is this 7-day ASL challenge for complete beginners?
Yes. It is designed for children, families, teachers, and beginner ASL learners who want a small first practice plan.
How long should kids practice each day?
Most families and classrooms can start with 5 to 10 minutes. Short practice works best when the signs are used again during real routines.
Should we use the ASL Kids app every day?
The app is helpful for seeing signs in motion. You can use it daily during the challenge, then continue with the dictionary, printables, and weekly lesson plans.
Can this help babies, toddlers, or children with communication needs?
It can be a useful visual practice plan, especially when adults model signs during routines. If a child uses AAC, speech therapy, an IEP, hearing technology, or another communication plan, use signs in a way that fits professional guidance.
Will this make my child fluent in ASL?
No. This is a beginner practice challenge. ASL fluency requires much more than vocabulary practice, including grammar, facial expression, Deaf culture, qualified instruction, and real signing conversations.
Turn practice into a repeatable routine
Set up a small ASL practice spot with the app, a hands-free screen, visual timer, cards, and routine prompts. Use the ASL practice station guide to build a simple home, homeschool, therapy, or classroom setup.
Build a complete beginner path
Need a clear order for home, homeschool, or classroom practice? Use the ASL curriculum for kids to plan weekly signs, app practice, printables, games, and course options.
Print the 12-week ASL curriculum planner
Use the free planner to map weekly signs, app practice, lesson routines, a practice station checklist, and progress notes. It pairs with the full ASL curriculum for kids.
Need printable ASL practice sheets?
Download the free ASL Kids Starter Pack for first signs, weekly lesson plans, baby-sign routines, classroom signs, family practice, and a 12-week planner.
Comparing ASL apps?
Use the Best ASL Apps for Kids and Beginners guide to choose between ASL Kids, dictionary apps, structured lesson apps, baby-sign video libraries, and course paths.
Supporting a deaf or hard-of-hearing child?
Use the ASL for Parents of Deaf Children guide to start a family ASL path with first signs, app practice, parent course options, and trusted support resources.
Print the 30-day family ASL plan
Use the free printable to choose first signs, build a daily ASL habit, share signs with caregivers, and support a deaf or hard-of-hearing child at home.
Need a simple ASL lesson sequence?
The ASL Lessons for Kids hub turns app videos, first signs, printables, games, and course paths into a practical beginner lesson order for families, teachers, homeschoolers, and children.
Planning ASL for homeschool?
Use the Homeschool ASL Course guide to choose between app-first practice, a kids course, a parent course, credit planning, printables, and a weekly curriculum plan.
Teaching ASL to an elementary student?
The ASL Course for Elementary Students guide helps families choose between app-first practice, weekly lessons, printables, curriculum, a kids course, and parent support.