ASL Course for Elementary Students
A practical ASL learning path for elementary students
Elementary kids need more than random sign lists, but most still learn best with short video practice, movement games, routines, printables, and parent or teacher support before a full paid course.
- Built for kindergarten through grade 5, homeschool, classrooms, and family beginners.
- Starts app-first, then shows when an older elementary student is ready for a kids course.
- Routes parents into lessons, printables, curriculum, and age-appropriate course choices.
Affiliate disclosure: Course buttons may use affiliate links. ASL Kids may earn a commission if you enroll through them, at no extra cost to you.
Affiliate disclosure: Some course and Amazon links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through these links, ASL Kids may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We recommend an app-first path for many elementary learners because a paid course is not always the right first step.
Quick answer
The best ASL course for elementary students is usually an app-first learning path: short ASL Kids videos, routine signs, alphabet and number practice, games, printables, and a weekly plan. Older elementary students who can follow lessons, pause videos, copy signs carefully, and return for review may be ready for a structured kids course. Younger elementary students usually need short practice before a formal course.
Which elementary ASL path fits?
| Elementary learner | Best first path | Why it fits | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten to grade 2 beginner | ASL Kids app, first signs, games, and routine practice | Short movement-based practice is easier than long lessons. Start with signs the child can use during meals, play, cleanup, and feelings. | Practice in the app |
| Grade 3 to 5 learner who wants a sequence | App practice plus a weekly kids curriculum | A simple weekly rhythm adds alphabet, numbers, classroom signs, questions, facial expression, and review without overwhelming the child. | Use the ASL curriculum for kids |
| Older elementary student ready for a course | Kids ASL course plus ASL Kids review | Use a course when the child can follow video lessons, repeat signs carefully, complete short activities, and keep practicing between lessons. | View kids course |
| Homeschool family | Course spine, weekly planner, app review, and printables | Homeschool families need a recordable plan more than a pile of links. Keep weekly goals, practice time, and projects visible. | Plan homeschool ASL |
| Parent or teacher learning alongside the child | Adult beginner path for the grown-up, app practice for the child | Adults often need more grammar and explanation so they can model signs, keep practice respectful, and support the child consistently. | View parent course |
When is a paid ASL course worth it?
A paid course can help an older elementary student when the child wants lessons in order, workbook practice, quizzes, review, and a clear sense of progress. SignLanguage101’s current catalog describes kids ASL courses designed by Deaf curriculum specialists, and its detailed Kids Level 1A page describes an introductory course with video lessons, vocabulary, workbook support, homeschooling/classroom use, and a completion certificate. Check the current provider page before enrolling because age ranges, pricing, and course access can change.
- Use app-first practice if your child is still learning attention, copying movement, and basic sign vocabulary.
- Use a kids course when the child can follow lessons and practice without turning every session into a battle.
- Use a parent/adult course when the grown-up needs to learn enough ASL to support the child well.
- Use homeschool planning pages when you need weekly records, practice logs, projects, or a longer curriculum.
6-week elementary ASL plan
Use this plan with ASL Kids app practice, lesson plans, homeschool curriculum, classroom routines, or a kids course. Keep each practice session short and concrete.
Week 1: names, greetings, and favorite signs
Practice hello, name, my, your, yes, no, please, thank you, help, more, and all done.
Week 2: alphabet, fingerspelling, and names
Practice the manual alphabet, fingerspell names, and use a printed alphabet poster for quick review.
Week 3: family, feelings, and needs
Add signs for family members, happy, sad, mad, tired, hurt, break, bathroom, and finished.
Week 4: school and classroom signs
Practice teacher, student, book, read, write, line up, wait, again, clean up, and stop.
Week 5: questions and facial expression
Practice who, what, where, when, why, how, and yes/no questions with facial expression.
Week 6: review project
Record a signed introduction, family tree, classroom routine, favorite-food list, or short story.
Use ASL Kids between lessons
Elementary students need repeated visual practice. Use the ASL Kids app for motion, the dictionary for quick lookup, the First 50 Signs guide for practical vocabulary, and games or printables when the child needs a lower-pressure review day.
Helpful elementary ASL materials
Physical materials work best as practice supports. Use video first so the child sees the sign in motion, then use cards, posters, and boards for review.
ASL flash cards
Good for quick matching games, memory review, and small-group classroom practice after video modeling.
ASL alphabet poster
Useful for fingerspelling names, classroom walls, homeschool spaces, and quick handshape review.
Small dry erase board
Helpful for writing weekly signs, fingerspelling prompts, game scores, and homeschool lesson goals.
Related ASL Kids guides
ASL Lessons for Kids
Use a beginner lesson sequence when your elementary learner needs a simple first path.
ASL Course for Middle School
Use this next when your older elementary learner is moving toward grades 6-8 course planning.
Online ASL Course for Kids
Compare kids-course options, app-first practice, homeschool support, and parent course paths.
Sources and references
- SignLanguage101 course catalog
- SignLanguage101 Kids Level 1A course details
- SignLanguage101 ASL Essentials Bundle for Kids
- K-12 ASL Content Standards
- Gallaudet Clerc Center K-12 ASL Content Standards
- NIDCD: What Is American Sign Language?
- American Society for Deaf Children online ASL classes
- ASL at Home family curriculum
ASL course for elementary students FAQ
What is the best ASL course for elementary students?
The best ASL course for elementary students is often an app-first path with short videos, routine signs, games, printables, and weekly review. Older elementary students may be ready for a structured kids course when they can follow video lessons and practice consistently.
Can elementary students learn ASL online?
Yes. Elementary students can learn ASL online when lessons are visual, short, repeated, and connected to real routines. Video practice matters because ASL uses movement, facial expression, and space.
Should younger elementary kids take a paid ASL course?
Not always. Younger elementary kids often do better with app videos, routine signs, games, and parent-led practice first. A paid kids course is more useful when the child is ready for lesson order, workbook practice, and review.
What should elementary students learn first in ASL?
Start with names, greetings, help, more, all done, please, thank you, feelings, family signs, classroom signs, alphabet, numbers, and simple questions.
How can parents help an elementary child learn ASL?
Parents can model a few signs every day, practice with short videos, choose signs the child can use immediately, keep review playful, and learn alongside the child when possible.
Teaching ASL to preschoolers?
The ASL Course for Preschoolers guide helps parents and teachers choose an app-first routine path, preschool curriculum, adult course support, printables, and classroom materials without pushing a formal child course too early.