ASL Lesson Plans for Kids and Beginners
ASL lesson plans for kids and beginners
Use these ASL lesson plans to teach American Sign Language in short, visual, kid-friendly sessions at home, in preschool, kindergarten, homeschool, therapy, or an early elementary classroom.
- Built around real routines, video practice, worksheets, games, and review.
- Works with the ASL Kids app, dictionary, printable flash cards, and alphabet poster.
- Designed for beginners who want a clear weekly plan instead of a random list of signs.
Use the app when the lesson plan says “watch” so children can see each sign in motion.
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How to build a simple ASL lesson
A strong ASL lesson for kids does not need to be long. In most homes and classrooms, 10 to 20 focused minutes is enough for a beginner lesson. The key is to pair each sign with movement, meaning, repetition, and a real reason to communicate.
| Lesson part | What to do | Helpful ASL Kids resource |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-up | Review 3 signs children already know, such as hello, more, help, or all done. | First 25 baby signs |
| New vocabulary | Teach 3 to 5 signs connected to one routine, topic, book, or classroom moment. | ASL dictionary |
| Video practice | Watch signs in motion so learners can see handshape, movement, and facial expression. | ASL Kids app |
| Activity | Use a game, worksheet, printable card set, story, snack routine, or movement activity. | Free ASL printables |
| Real use | Choose one sign to use naturally later in the day. | Preschool ASL activities |
5-day beginner ASL lesson plan
This weekly plan works for preschool, kindergarten, homeschool, family practice, and beginner small groups. Keep the same structure each day so children know what to expect.
Hello signs Practice hello, name, friend, yes, and no. Let each child sign hello to one person.
Snack signs Practice eat, drink, more, all done, please, and thank you during a real snack routine.
Feelings Practice happy, sad, tired, hurt, scared, and help with picture cards or a feelings check-in.
Alphabet Use the ASL alphabet poster to practice names, initials, and 5 tricky letters.
Review game Mix the week’s signs into charades, matching cards, a movement game, or a worksheet.
ASL lesson plans by age and setting
Routine signs first
Use signs during meals, diaper changes, bedtime, books, and play. Start with more, eat, milk, help, all done, sleep, and bath.
Short games and movement
Practice signs during circle time, story time, snack, cleanup, color hunts, and animal movement games.
Alphabet, numbers, and phrases
Use fingerspelling, number games, basic phrases, and simple classroom conversations to build confidence.
Ready-to-use ASL lesson themes
Theme-based lessons make it easier to choose signs that belong together. Pick one theme per week, then repeat the same signs across games, books, routines, worksheets, and app practice.
| Theme | Starter signs | Activity idea |
|---|---|---|
| First classroom signs | Hello, sit, listen, wait, help, stop, go | Use signs as visual cues during real transitions. |
| Food and snack | Eat, drink, more, all done, please, thank you | Model signs while passing out snack or cleaning up. |
| Feelings and needs | Happy, sad, tired, hurt, scared, help | Make a feelings check-in chart and sign one emotion each day. |
| Colors and numbers | Red, blue, yellow, green, one, two, three | Go on a color and number hunt around the room. |
| Story time | Book, look, again, finished, animal, friend | Choose one repeated sign from the book and use it whenever the word appears. |
Printable and classroom materials
You can teach ASL with no special supplies, but a few visual materials can make lessons easier to repeat. Pair printed materials with video practice so children see the full sign, not only a still picture.
Weekly ASL lesson plan pack
Print a 5-day beginner lesson plan, first 25 signs checklist, and blank weekly planning template.
First 50 ASL signs checklist
Choose practical beginner signs by routine and use the printable checklist with app or dictionary practice.
ASL signs by routine
Choose signs for meals, bedtime, bathroom, feelings, cleanup, classroom transitions, play, and family time.
ASL games for kids
Use quick games to repeat signs during circle time, snacks, story time, cleanup, and family practice.
Free ASL printables
Use the free printables hub for alphabet posters, flash cards, worksheet ideas, and practice pages.
ASL worksheets
Use matching, tracing, first-sign prompts, and review sheets after children have seen signs in motion.
Printable ASL cards
Turn card sets into memory games, scavenger hunts, review stations, and small-group warm-ups.
ASL supplies that can support lesson plans
These optional materials can help teachers and families build a repeatable ASL practice station. Choose one small kit for the setting you actually teach in, then keep the app and free printables as the center of the lesson.
Routine signs plus visual reminders
Use the classroom routine printable, one basic-sign poster, and one durable flash-card set for circle time, snack, cleanup, and feelings check-ins.
Weekly plan plus family tracker
Use the weekly lesson plan PDF, the family practice tracker, one beginner book, and app practice for a short repeatable home routine.
Functional signs plus choice cards
Start with help, more, all done, stop, break, feelings, and bathroom signs. Pair them with visual schedules, emotion cards, and the app.
ASL flash cards
Good for quick review, matching games, topic baskets, and small-group practice.
ASL classroom posters
Helpful for alphabet, number, color, and routine signs that children review often.
Sign language books
Useful for story-time signs, family practice, and giving beginners a simple reference path.
Teaching tips for accurate beginner ASL
- Teach fewer signs well. A short list of useful signs is better than a long list children never use.
- Use signs in context. Snack signs belong at snack time, cleanup signs belong during cleanup, and story signs belong inside a book.
- Show movement on video. ASL includes movement, palm orientation, facial expression, and space. Still pictures are only a reminder.
- Pair signs with speech when appropriate. Many families and classrooms use signs alongside spoken language, visual schedules, pictures, and AAC supports.
- Respect ASL as a language. ASL has its own grammar and Deaf cultural context. Keep learning from trusted Deaf-led and ASL-fluent resources.
If you are supporting a deaf or hard-of-hearing child, a child with speech delays, an autistic child, or a child using AAC, use ASL lesson plans as one part of a broader communication plan. Work with the child’s family, teacher, speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or care team where relevant.
Trusted ASL learning references
For broader context, see the NIDCD overview of American Sign Language, Gallaudet ASL Connect, the American Society for Deaf Children ASL Stories Directory, and the Head Start article on ASL in early childhood.
Start with one simple ASL lesson today
Choose one theme, teach 3 to 5 signs, watch the signs in motion, and use one sign in a real routine. Then build the next lesson with the ASL Kids app, dictionary, worksheets, and printable resources.
Ready for an online ASL course?
Use the free ASL Kids app and printables for daily practice. When a learner needs lessons in order, grammar, Deaf-culture context, review, and a steadier routine, compare the course paths next.
- Kids course path for older children and homeschool learners.
- Adult course path for parents, caregivers, teachers, teens, and beginners.
- Free ASL Kids resources still support practice between course lessons.
Affiliate disclosure: Course buttons may be affiliate links. ASL Kids may earn a commission if you enroll, at no extra cost to you.
FAQ: ASL lesson plans for kids
What should an ASL lesson plan for kids include?
A simple ASL lesson plan should include a short review, 3 to 5 new signs, video practice, a game or worksheet, and one real-life moment where the child can use a sign.
How long should a beginner ASL lesson be?
Most young beginners do well with 10 to 20 minutes of focused practice. Toddlers and preschoolers usually need shorter, more playful lessons tied to routines.
Can I use ASL lesson plans at home?
Yes. Families can use ASL lesson plans during meals, books, bedtime, play, and daily transitions. Keep practice practical and use video or the ASL Kids app to check signs in motion.
Are worksheets enough for an ASL lesson?
No. Worksheets can help with review, matching, tracing, and memory, but ASL should also include movement, facial expression, video modeling, and real communication practice.
Topic pages for lesson planning
- ASL Classroom Signs for Kids for weekly classroom routines.
- ASL Food Signs for Kids for snack and lunch lessons.
- ASL Feelings Signs for Kids for emotion check-ins and story time.
Deaf-friendly home safety guides
For families who use ASL, hearing technology, visual routines, or deaf-friendly alerts, these higher-intent safety guides can help you compare practical home setup options.
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 a preschool-ready ASL plan?
Use the Preschool ASL Curriculum for weekly signs, circle-time practice, snack routines, story-time signs, classroom transitions, app videos, and the free planner PDF.
Choosing your first ASL course?
Use the ASL Course for Beginners guide to decide between a free start, a kids course, an adult beginner course, app practice, and a homeschool-friendly routine.
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.
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.
Planning ASL for a middle schooler?
The ASL Course for Middle School guide helps families choose between app-first practice, a kids course, a parent-led course, homeschool records, and high-school-credit planning.
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.
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.