ASL Signs for Toddlers
Toddlers learn best when signs are short, repeated, and connected to something they want or understand. Start with signs for meals, help, feelings, play, bathroom, and bedtime.
Quick note: This page is educational, not medical or speech-language advice. If you are concerned about your toddler’s speech, hearing, gestures, understanding, or development, ask your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist.
What signs should toddlers learn first?
Start with signs that help your toddler communicate during the day. Good first signs are more, all done, help, eat, drink, milk, sleep, bath, book, play, mom, and dad.
Most toddlers do not need a long sign list. They need a few signs modeled many times by calm adults. Say the word while signing, respond to attempts, and repeat the sign during the same routine tomorrow.
More, eat, drink, all done
Food and drink signs work because toddlers have many chances to use them.
Help, bath, diaper, sleep
Care signs make routines more predictable and can reduce frustration.
Play, book, again, open
Play signs make practice feel natural instead of like a lesson.
ASL signs for toddler routines
| Routine | Best signs | How to model them |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast and snacks | Eat, drink, milk, more, all done | Sign while offering the food or cup. |
| Play | Play, again, help, open, stop | Use during bubbles, blocks, books, containers, and turn-taking. |
| Bathroom and care | Bathroom, diaper, bath, clean, hurt | Use before and during the care routine. |
| Feelings | Happy, sad, mad, tired, scared | Use with faces, books, and calm labeling. |
| Bedtime | Sleep, book, mom, dad, I love you | Use during pajamas, stories, songs, and goodnight routines. |
How to practice with toddlers
- Keep practice very short: one sign in one real moment is enough.
- Use the same signs across home, daycare, preschool, and grandparent routines.
- Do not require perfect handshape before responding.
- Pair signs with spoken words, pictures, objects, or AAC if those are part of the child’s communication.
- Use songs, books, snack time, bath time, and cleanup instead of flash-card drilling.
Best next ASL Kids resources
Practice materials
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Baby sign routine guides
Choosing a baby sign language app?
Start with the Baby Sign Language App page if you want the fastest ASL Kids download path, or use the Best Baby Sign Language Apps guide to compare ASL Kids, My Signing Time, Baby Sign and Learn, and parent-focused ASL app options.