Baby Sign Language in the Classroom
Baby sign language in the classroom works best when teachers model a small set of useful signs during snack, circle time, bathroom care, cleanup, transitions, play, and feelings.
What teachers should know first
In a classroom, baby sign language usually means using a small set of simple ASL signs to support communication before every child can explain needs clearly with speech. It can help children ask for more, say all done, request help, join routines, and express basic feelings.
This is not the same as teaching a full ASL curriculum. ASL is a complete language with grammar, movement, facial expression, and Deaf cultural context. For Deaf and hard-of-hearing children, bilingual ASL/English goals, speech-language therapy, AAC, IEPs, or developmental concerns, follow the child’s family and professional team.
- Use signs with real classroom moments. Model eat at snack, sit at circle time, help during problem-solving, and all done at transitions.
- Say the word while signing. For most early-childhood classrooms, signs work best alongside spoken language, pictures, gestures, songs, and routines.
- Start with a small staff-wide list. Five to ten shared signs are more useful than a long poster nobody uses consistently.
- Share signs with families. Send home the same words so children see the signs at school and at home.
Classroom routine signs
Start with signs for snack, circle time, bathroom care, help, feelings, cleanup, and transitions.
Preschool ASL activities
Turn signs into songs, story time prompts, matching games, movement breaks, and sign-of-the-day routines.
Baby sign tracker
For infants, toddlers, and mixed-age rooms, use one shared tracker so caregivers know which signs are being modeled.
Classroom signs by routine
| Classroom routine | Useful signs to model | How to use them naturally |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival and greetings | Hello, name, teacher, friend, mom, dad. | Greet each child with voice, face, and sign. Use name signs only when appropriate and family-approved. |
| Circle time and stories | Sit, look, listen, book, again, finished. | Model the sign once or twice as part of the routine, not as a test. |
| Snack and meals | More, eat, drink, milk, water, all done, please, thank you. | Pause briefly before refills so children can use speech, sign, pointing, or another communication tool. |
| Bathroom and care | Diaper, change, bathroom, potty, wash hands, help. | Use signs calmly and respectfully during predictable care routines. |
| Feelings and regulation | Help, stop, break, hurt, tired, happy, sad. | Model signs while naming feelings and offering real support, not after a child is already overwhelmed. |
| Cleanup and transitions | Clean up, wait, line up, play, outside, all done. | Use signs with visual schedules, songs, timers, or picture cues when transitions are hard. |
A simple classroom rollout plan
Teachers do not need to become fluent overnight to make signs useful. Pick one routine, choose a few signs, and make them visible for every adult in the room.
Choose one routine for the first week
Snack is usually easiest because more, eat, drink, help, and all done happen many times.
Pick five signs the whole team will use
Write the signs on the lesson plan, post the printable near the routine area, and check the videos in the app.
Model without pressure
Use the sign while saying the word. Accept speech, signs, gestures, pointing, AAC, or approximations as communication.
Add one sign at a time
After the routine feels natural, add bathroom, feelings, circle time, or cleanup signs.
Tell families what you are modeling
Send home three signs each week with a short note and a link to the ASL Kids app or dictionary.
Use videos before you teach a sign
Still pictures are helpful, but signs move. Before introducing a new classroom sign, teachers can watch the movement in the ASL Kids app and then model it during the real routine.
What to send home to families
A short family handoff helps signs become useful outside the classroom. Keep it practical and avoid making families feel they need a full curriculum right away.
This week we are modeling…
“Our class is using a few simple signs during snack and transitions: more, eat, drink, help, and all done. You can use the same signs at home during meals or play. Early attempts may look imperfect, and that is okay.”
Family practice path
First 25 baby signs, baby sign chart, ASL Kids app, and baby sign tracker.
Build a small classroom signing kit
Affiliate disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. ASL Kids may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
You can start with free ASL Kids videos and printables. If your room needs physical reminders, choose simple materials that match your routines and do not overload the walls.
- Browse ASL classroom posters on Amazon for a visible reminder near circle time or snack.
- Browse ASL flash cards for preschool on Amazon if you want small-group matching or sign-of-the-day cards.
- Browse preschool visual schedule cards on Amazon if your class uses signs together with picture routines.
Helpful ASL Kids classroom resources
Trusted guidance
Use signs as one part of a language-rich classroom: spoken words, stories, songs, facial expression, gestures, pictures, AAC when used, and warm responses. For children with communication, hearing, developmental, motor, or access needs, coordinate with families and the child’s care or school team.
Baby sign language in the classroom FAQ
What signs should teachers start with?
Start with signs tied to the most repeated classroom routines: more, eat, drink, all done, help, sit, wait, clean up, bathroom, stop, hurt, and tired.
Can baby sign language be used in preschool or daycare?
Yes. Preschool and daycare teachers can model simple signs during routines, especially with toddlers, mixed-age groups, and children who benefit from visual communication supports.
Should teachers use signs with speech?
In most early-childhood settings, teachers say the word while signing and respond to any communication attempt. Follow a child’s care plan if the family, SLP, Deaf educator, or school team recommends a specific approach.
How many signs should a class learn at once?
Choose five to ten signs for one routine first. Add more only after adults are using the first signs consistently.
Is this the same as teaching ASL?
No. Classroom baby signing uses selected signs for early communication. ASL is a full language with its own grammar, facial expression, movement, culture, and community.
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.
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.