American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language that uses hand signs, facial expressions, and body language to communicate. It is a complete, natural language that has its own grammar and syntax. ASL is separate from English. It's a living, evolving language, just like any other.
ASL is used in the United States by a variety of people, including deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing people. It can also benefit children of any age. Using ASL signs with nonverbal infants and toddlers allows them to communicate their needs before frustration sets in. For preschoolers, incorporating signs and the ASL alphabet into learning environments has been shown to increase vocabulary and pre-literacy skills. ASL can also act as a communication support for children who are dual language learners or children who struggle with verbal communication.
Explore the videos and resources below to find out what makes ASL such an amazing developmental support for all infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Learn ASL signs, gain insights on its benefits for children’s development, and discover strategies for integrating ASL into your learning environments.
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What Is ASL?
What Is ASL?
View the transcript
What is ASL?
Marie Baeta: Let's jump right in. What is American Sign Language?
Sam Sanders: [communicating in ASL]
Interpreter: Certainly. Best way to start. American Sign Language, ASL, it's a visual language, and it's used by many different people to express themselves with communication, to describe the visual world using space, so it's a full and legitimized language with a rich history behind it. Many years ago in Europe, a person named Laurent Clerc, a European person, came over to the U.S. to start a deaf school in the United States, and that spread across the country, instituting a center for Deaf culture and as well was taught and passed down through the Deaf community and deaf people expressive and storytelling, and ASL is a vital part of deaf people's experience. Yeah, that's a bit of the history.
Marie: Yeah. Thank you for sharing. I think the more you dig into the history of ASL, it's just really fascinating to see it develop over the years, and I'm excited to learn more. You touched on this a little bit, but I'm curious, what do you think ASL - what makes ASL unique?
Sam: [communicating in ASL]
Interpreter: Sure. Wow. I mean, it's very rich in history and description. We have a lot of different ways of expressing language. One handshape you can show not just a vehicle, but the car moving, the motor. For the sound, you can move your cheeks and mouth to indicate different aspects and parts of the car. Say there's a bump. You can show the car speeding over a bump by incorporating facial expressions, and it's a critical part of American Sign Language, which some people may not realize. Facial expression, as well as the signs in sign language, that's what makes this so expressive. For example, if you watch my hands, I'm describing a seed growing. I put it in the soil. It starts to pop up and sprout its leaves. You can see my facial expression is indicating the sunshine feeding and blooming. Just as a quick example. American Sign Language, we use space and movement to create our world in front of your eyes.
Marie: Oh, that's so beautiful. I just love how expressive it is and how it just builds a whole world right in front of your eyes. There's nothing like it. I think it's really interesting, because in some cultures, facial expressions and very overt body language cannot be appropriate in their culture. But in Deaf culture, in ASL, it's critical to the language and the meanings, too.
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What is American Sign Language and what makes this language unique? Watch to learn more!
ASL Users Are Dual Language Learners
Children who use ASL at home or who are learning ASL are considered dual language learners. Being a dual language learner comes with increased cognitive and linguistic skill. Learn more about the amazing benefits of being a dual language learner and how to intentionally support their everyday learning.
You can learn ASL on the go! Download the Ready DLL App to learn 23 ASL words and phrases that support everyday communication with young children.
Hearing Loss in Young Children
ASL benefits all children, but especially children who are deaf or hard of hearing. If a child you serve a child who has been identified with a permanent hearing loss, explore these tips to support their participation in Head Start programs. If you’re an educator or work with parents and need strategies for accommodating a child’s hearing loss in their educational environment check out these suggestions. If you’re curious about hearing screenings and want to learn more, review these quick facts about hearing screenings for young children.
Children with Disabilities
The goal for all children in Head Start programs, including children with disabilities, is to be successful learners. It’s important to understand what services are available to your team to coordinate support for children and their families. Learn new strategies to ensure children with disabilities and hearing loss are provided with equal learning opportunities, for infants and toddlers, as well as preschool-age children.
Home Visitors and ASL
As a home visitor, you may serve families who use ASL at home or who are interested in learning ASL to support their child. If a family uses ASL at home, learning a few signs to assist in communicating with them is a great way to build rapport and trust with families. Learn basic signs and phrases in the video section on this page. During home visits and group socializations, there are many opportunities to support the involvement of these young dual language learners.
Last Updated: May 29, 2025