ASL Course for Preschoolers
A practical preschool ASL course path without pushing too much too soon
Most preschoolers do not need a formal online course first. They need real signs in motion, short playful practice, routines, printables, and adults who can model signs consistently.
- Best for preschool, Pre-K, daycare, early homeschool, and family beginners.
- Starts with ASL Kids app practice and a routine-based preschool curriculum.
- Shows when a parent or teacher course makes sense for the adult.
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 or enroll through these links, ASL Kids may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. For preschoolers, we recommend app-first and routine-first practice before any paid course decision.
Quick answer
The best ASL course for preschoolers is usually not a formal child course. Start with short ASL Kids app videos, preschool routine signs, circle-time practice, snack signs, feelings signs, story-time signs, games, and printable support. Add a paid adult course when the parent, teacher, aide, or homeschool guide needs more ASL structure and confidence.
Which preschool ASL path fits?
| Preschool learner or adult | Best first path | Why it fits | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3- to 5-year-old beginner | ASL Kids app, routine signs, and games | Preschoolers learn through short repetition, real objects, movement, songs, stories, and daily routines. | Practice in the app |
| Preschool teacher or daycare leader | Preschool ASL curriculum plus adult course support | The adult needs accurate models and confidence; children need a small set of useful signs during real classroom moments. | Use the teacher course guide |
| Parent teaching signs at home | Family routine signs plus parent learning path | Home practice works best when signs are used during meals, play, feelings, cleanup, and bedtime. | Read the parent course guide |
| Older sibling or child ready for lessons | Kids course later, not as the preschool starting point | Provider kids courses usually require more attention and independent lesson following than preschoolers have. | View kids ASL course |
| Early homeschool family | Preschool curriculum, planner, app, and parent course if needed | A visible weekly rhythm matters more than a long course syllabus at this age. | Open preschool curriculum |
Why preschool ASL should stay routine-based
ASL is a complete visual language with its own grammar, facial expression, movement, handshape, palm orientation, and Deaf cultural context. Preschool practice should be accurate, playful, and useful. If a child is deaf or hard of hearing, coordinate with the child’s family, Deaf educators, early-intervention team, ASL-fluent teachers, audiologist, SLP, or school support team.
6-week preschool ASL course plan
Use this as a mini-course for a preschool classroom, daycare, therapy room, co-op, or family. Each week pairs app practice with signs children can use immediately.
Arrival and circle time
Practice hello, goodbye, friend, name, sit, look, teacher, and wait. Use one sign-of-the-day during the same routine all week.
Snack and mealtime
Practice eat, drink, more, all done, please, thank you, hungry, and water during snack or lunch.
Feelings and help
Practice happy, sad, mad, scared, tired, hurt, help, and break with stories, check-ins, and classroom problem-solving.
Stories and play
Practice book, read, look, again, play, ball, outside, stop, go, and finished while reading or moving.
Transitions and care
Practice bathroom, wash, clean up, line up, wait, help, yes, no, ready, and finished with visual schedules.
Review and family handoff
Let children choose favorite signs, send home a small sign list, and use the app or printable planner for family review.
When is a paid ASL course worth it?
A paid course is usually for the adult first: the parent, teacher, aide, homeschool guide, or caregiver who wants a stronger ASL foundation. SignLanguage101’s current course pages describe adult beginner options and kids courses designed by Deaf curriculum specialists; its Kids Level 1A page describes an older-child/teen path, so check current age guidance before using it for any child.
- Use free app practice when you are testing interest or teaching first routine signs.
- Use the preschool curriculum when you need a weekly plan, activities, and printables.
- Use an adult course when the grown-up needs more structure and confidence.
- Use a kids course later if an older child can follow video lessons and complete review.
Use ASL Kids between lessons
Short video models
Open ASL Kids before the routine so children see signs in motion.
Weekly preschool plan
Use the existing preschool curriculum for circle time, snack, stories, cleanup, and transitions.
Make practice visible
Use the curriculum planner and classroom routine signs so adults repeat the same signs.
Preschool ASL materials
Static materials are useful only when paired with accurate video models and real routine practice. Keep the kit simple so teachers and parents actually use it.
ASL flash cards
Use cards for matching games, choice boards, and sign-of-the-week review.
ASL poster
Use one poster or small display to keep a few current signs visible.
Visual timer
Pair wait, finished, cleanup, and line up with a visual timer or schedule.
Related ASL Kids guides
Preschool ASL Curriculum
The main weekly plan for preschool, Pre-K, daycare, and early homeschool routines.
ASL Course for Teachers
The adult course path for teachers, aides, preschool leaders, and co-op parents.
ASL Course for Elementary Students
The next path when a child is ready for K-5 lessons, weekly practice, and more structure.
Sign Language Activities for Preschoolers
Activity ideas for snack, stories, movement games, feelings, cleanup, and classroom routines.
ASL Classroom Signs
Useful classroom signs for help, bathroom, wait, stop, line up, cleanup, and feelings.
ASL for Families
A family learning path for parents, siblings, grandparents, caregivers, and young children.
Sources and current references
- Head Start: Using American Sign Language for Early Learning
- K-12 ASL Content Standards
- Gallaudet Clerc Center: K-12 ASL Content Standards
- NIDCD: American Sign Language
- ASL at Home family curriculum
- American Society for Deaf Children: online ASL classes
- SignLanguage101 course catalog
- SignLanguage101 Kids Level 1A details
FAQ
What is the best ASL course for preschoolers?
The best ASL course for preschoolers is usually an app-first, routine-based plan: short sign videos, classroom or family routines, games, printables, and repeated use during real moments. A paid course is usually more useful for the adult who is leading the practice.
Do preschoolers need an online ASL course?
Most preschoolers do not need a formal online course. They usually learn better from short videos, play, songs, stories, snack routines, feelings check-ins, and adults who model the same signs consistently.
Should a preschool teacher take an ASL course?
A teacher, aide, daycare leader, or homeschool parent may benefit from an adult beginner ASL course if they want more structure, grammar, receptive practice, fingerspelling, and confidence beyond a small classroom sign list.
How many signs should preschoolers learn each week?
Three to five signs per week is a good starting point for many preschool groups. Repeat them during real routines before adding more.
Is SignLanguage101 for Kids right for preschoolers?
Check the provider’s current age guidance before enrolling any child. For preschoolers, ASL Kids recommends app-first practice and routine-based curriculum first; structured kids courses usually fit older children better.
Can ASL help preschoolers with speech delays, autism, or AAC?
ASL signs can support visual communication during routines, but families should coordinate with the child’s SLP, teacher, care team, Deaf educator, audiologist, or AAC team when a child has speech, hearing, autism, or complex communication needs.