ASL Lessons for Kids
ASL lessons for kids and beginners
Use this page as a practical first lesson sequence for children, parents, teachers, and family beginners. Start with short ASL Kids app videos, choose one small sign set, print a weekly lesson plan, then add a structured online course when an older child or adult is ready for more.
- Ten beginner lesson themes for home, homeschool, preschool, and classroom practice.
- Built around real-use signs, not long memorization lists.
- Connects free app practice to printables, lesson plans, and paid course options.
For kids, a good ASL lesson is short, visual, repeated, and connected to something they actually want to say.
Choose the lesson path that fits your child
People search for ASL lessons for different reasons. Some need a free first lesson for a toddler or preschooler. Some want a weekly homeschool plan. Some need a paid course for an older child, teen, parent, or teacher. Use this quick guide first so you do not start too big.
| Learner or goal | Start with this lesson | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Baby or toddler | Baby Sign Language App | First 25 baby signs |
| Preschool or daycare | Preschool ASL curriculum | Classroom signs |
| Family beginner | First 50 ASL signs | 7-day beginner challenge |
| Homeschool learner | Homeschool ASL curriculum | Online ASL course for kids |
| Parent, teacher, or adult beginner | ASL course for parents | Beginner course guide |
Ten beginner ASL lessons for kids
Each lesson should take only a few minutes. Watch a sign in the ASL Kids app or dictionary, say the word out loud if speech is part of your child’s communication plan, copy the sign slowly, then use it during a real routine.
Hello, name, and me
Start with greeting signs and simple identity words so the lesson feels social.
More, all done, help
These high-use signs work during snacks, play, cleanup, therapy, and classroom routines.
Eat, drink, milk, snack
Mealtime signs give children a reason to communicate right away.
Mom, dad, baby, family
Family signs help children talk about people they know and see every day.
Happy, sad, tired, hurt
Feeling signs are useful when children need another way to show what is happening.
Colors around the room
Use toys, crayons, books, and clothes so the color lesson is concrete.
Numbers and counting
Count crackers, blocks, steps, pages, or children in line instead of drilling a list.
Alphabet and names
Use fingerspelling for names, initials, and short playful spelling practice.
Classroom routines
Try sit, wait, look, book, line up, bathroom, finished, and help.
Review with a game
Turn five signs into a scavenger hunt, story game, memory match, or sign-of-the-day.
A simple five-day ASL lesson plan
Use this plan when you want structure without turning ASL into a long worksheet session. The goal is repeated use, not a perfect performance on day one.
| Day | What to do | Helpful ASL Kids resource |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Pick 3 to 5 useful signs. Watch each one in motion. | ASL Kids app |
| Day 2 | Use the same signs during one real routine: snack, cleanup, bedtime, or play. | ASL signs by routine |
| Day 3 | Print a checklist or lesson page and let the child mark what they used. | Free ASL printables |
| Day 4 | Review with a game, story, song, or sign-of-the-day. | ASL games for kids |
| Day 5 | Choose what to keep, what to repeat, and what to add next week. | Weekly lesson-plan PDF |
When should you add a structured ASL course?
Free ASL Kids lessons are a good first step. Add a paid course when the learner needs lessons in order, a workbook, quizzes, grammar, fingerspelling practice, Deaf-culture context, a certificate, or a steadier homeschool/classroom routine.
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 still recommend starting with the free app, dictionary, and printables when that fits the learner.
Kids ASL course path
Choose a kids course when the child can follow short video lessons, pause, copy signs carefully, and return for the next lesson with adult support.
Adult beginner course path
Adults often need more explanation around ASL grammar, receptive skills, and Deaf-culture context. Parent and teacher learning also makes children’s practice more consistent.
- For university credit or formal coursework, compare options such as Gallaudet ASL Connect.
- For family support around a deaf or hard-of-hearing child, prioritize consistent visual language access and parent practice.
- For toddlers and preschoolers, keep lessons short and routine-based before buying a full course.
Helpful tools for ASL lessons at home or school
Printed materials can help children remember what to practice, but they are not a replacement for seeing signs in motion. Use books, cards, and posters as reminders beside app videos, dictionary lookup, Deaf educators, and real signing practice.
Flash cards for review
Useful for matching games, quick review, homeschool baskets, and classroom centers.
Wall posters and charts
Good for classrooms, morning baskets, playrooms, therapy rooms, and family practice spaces.
Books for families
Books can help adults plan lessons and give children another way to notice signs.
A written lesson is only the starting point
American Sign Language is a complete visual language with its own grammar, movement, facial expression, and cultural context. Written pages can help you plan, but children need to see signs in motion and use them with people. When a child is deaf, hard of hearing, autistic, has a speech delay, or uses AAC, coordinate signing with qualified professionals and, whenever possible, Deaf educators or fluent ASL models.
Use video first
Watch the sign, copy it slowly, check handshape and movement, then use it in a routine. Do not rely on a static chart as the whole lesson.
Keep culture in view
ASL is connected to Deaf culture and community. Beginner family lessons should be respectful, accurate, and open to learning from Deaf-led resources.
Trusted ASL lesson resources
ASL lessons for kids FAQ
What is the best first ASL lesson for kids?
Start with 3 to 5 useful signs the child can use today, such as more, all done, help, eat, drink, mom, dad, happy, sad, or play. Watch each sign in motion, then use it during a real routine.
Can kids learn ASL online?
Yes, children can start online when the lesson uses clear video models and short practice. Younger children usually need an adult practicing with them. Older kids may also benefit from a structured online course.
Are free ASL lessons enough?
Free lessons can be enough for first signs, family routines, and classroom introductions. Add a structured course when the learner needs sequence, grammar, quizzes, assignments, certificates, or deeper ASL study.
Should parents learn ASL too?
Yes. Children practice more when adults around them use signs consistently. Parent and teacher practice is especially important for children who rely on visual communication.
Choosing an ASL class for a child?
The ASL Classes for Kids guide compares app-first practice, free resources, live online classes, local options, kids courses, parent courses, and homeschool paths.
Learning ASL as a family?
The ASL for Families guide gives parents, kids, siblings, grandparents, and teachers a practical path: app videos, daily routine signs, a 30-day printable plan, and course options when you need more structure.
Need a structured ASL course path for your family?
The ASL Course for Families guide compares parent courses, kids courses, free family ASL supports, app practice, and printable routines.
Considering SignLanguage101 for a child?
The SignLanguage101 for Kids review explains when the kids course fits older children, teens, and homeschool learners, and when app-first or family ASL support is the better first step.
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.
Need ASL to count for high school credit?
Use the ASL Course for High School Credit guide to choose between homeschool records, school approval, certificates, and formal credit before buying a course.