First 50 ASL Signs for Kids and Beginners
Beginner ASL signs by routine
The first 50 ASL signs to practice with kids.
Use this first-50 list to choose practical American Sign Language signs for home, preschool, daycare, homeschool, speech practice, or beginner family learning.
How to choose first ASL signs
The best first signs are not random vocabulary words. Choose signs that help a child communicate during meals, play, family time, classroom routines, feelings, transitions, and care routines.
Choose useful words
Start with signs like more, help, eat, drink, all done, stop, mom, dad, happy, tired, and bathroom.
Watch signs in motion
Use the ASL Kids app or ASL dictionary before relying on a printable checklist.
Repeat during routines
Practice the same sign during the same moment for several days. Use the family practice tracker if you want a simple weekly habit sheet.
First 50 ASL signs by theme
These signs are grouped by practical use so parents and teachers can choose the right signs for the child, classroom, or family routine.
Ask for help or more
more, help, please, want, again
Use during snack, books, toys, play, and classroom support.
Mealtime signs
eat, drink, milk, water, snack
Practice during real meals with cups, plates, and favorite foods.
Start, stop, and wait
all done, finished, stop, go, wait
Use when ending activities, lining up, leaving, or moving to a new routine.
Family and classroom
mom, dad, baby, friend, teacher
Practice with family photos, classroom pictures, drawings, and greetings.
Feelings and care
happy, sad, hurt, tired, bathroom
Use during check-ins, breaks, comfort, bathroom routines, and calm labeling.
Classroom routines
sit, stand, look, listen, clean up
Practice during circle time, story time, line-up, cleanup, and transitions.
Learning and choices
book, play, ball, music, yes
Use with story time, songs, toys, movement games, and choice-making.
Care routines
sleep, bath, change, home, no
Practice during bedtime, bath, diaper changes, leaving, and coming home.
Nature and books
dog, cat, bird, fish, tree
Use while reading animal books, playing outside, or looking at pictures.
Numbers and colors
one, two, three, red, blue
Use during color hunts, counting games, calendar time, and toy sorting.
Print the first 50 signs checklist
The printable includes all 50 signs by routine plus a 7-day tracker. Use it with the app or dictionary so kids can see each sign in motion.
Simple 7-day practice plan
Choose 3 to 5 signs per day. Keep each session short, then use one sign during a real moment the same day.
| Day | Practice focus | Use it during |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | more, help, please, want, again | Snack, toys, books, games, and asking for support. |
| Day 2 | eat, drink, milk, water, snack | Meals, cups, packed lunches, and kitchen routines. |
| Day 3 | all done, finished, stop, go, wait | Cleanup, leaving, lining up, and ending an activity. |
| Day 4 | mom, dad, baby, friend, teacher | Photos, family conversation, classroom greetings, and stories. |
| Day 5 | happy, sad, hurt, tired, bathroom | Feelings check-ins, comfort, bathroom routines, and breaks. |
| Day 6 | sit, stand, look, listen, clean up | Circle time, story time, transition songs, and classroom routines. |
| Day 7 | Review favorite signs and add book, play, ball, music, yes. | Play, story time, songs, and child-led practice. |
Choose signs for your learner
Babies and toddlers
Start with more, milk, eat, all done, help, sleep, bath, mom, and dad. See the first 25 baby signs or choose signs by routine in ASL Signs by Routine.
Preschool and classrooms
Choose signs for circle time, snack, cleanup, line-up, feelings, and books. Use the preschool ASL activities.
Visual communication needs
Practice functional signs like help, stop, wait, break, more, all done, yes, no, and bathroom alongside a child's support plan.
Helpful materials for practicing first signs
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.
Start with five signs today
Pick five signs from the list, watch them in the ASL Kids app or dictionary, and use at least one sign during a real routine before the day ends.
FAQ
What ASL signs should kids learn first?
Start with signs children can use during real routines, such as more, help, eat, drink, all done, stop, mom, dad, happy, tired, bathroom, book, play, and yes.
How many signs should beginners practice at once?
Most beginners do best with 3 to 5 signs at a time. Review those signs for several days before adding a new group.
Is a printable checklist enough to learn ASL?
No. A printable checklist is a memory prompt. Use videos, the ASL Kids app, the ASL dictionary, qualified ASL teachers, and Deaf-led resources to see movement, facial expression, grammar, and cultural context.
Can babies use these first 50 signs?
Adults can model some of these signs with babies and toddlers, especially practical routine signs. Start with a smaller list like more, milk, eat, all done, help, sleep, bath, mom, and dad.
Can these signs support autistic children or children with speech delays?
These signs can be useful visual supports, but they should fit the child's communication plan. If your child uses AAC, speech therapy, an IEP, or other support, coordinate signs with the child's care team.
More beginner ASL sign guides
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 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.
Supporting a deaf or hard-of-hearing child?
Use the ASL for Parents of Deaf Children guide to start a family ASL path with first signs, app practice, parent course options, and trusted support resources.
Print the 30-day family ASL plan
Use the free printable to choose first signs, build a daily ASL habit, share signs with caregivers, and support a deaf or hard-of-hearing child at home.
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.
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.
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.
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.