Learning how to sign nervous in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Nervous” gives toddlers a name for the fluttery feeling before new situations. Two index fingers pointed down at the torso shake in a…

Learning how to sign angry in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Angry” gives toddlers a word for the big feeling before the meltdown hits. Two claw hands in front of the face, paired with…

Learning how to sign our in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Our” teaches toddlers that things can belong to everyone. A flat hand sweeps from one shoulder to the other in a generous arc.…

Learning how to sign us in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Us” is the sign that puts you and your child in the same category. An index finger arcs from one side of the…

Learning how to sign my in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “My” is how toddlers stake their claim before they can say the word. A flat hand pressed to the chest says “this belongs…

Learning how to sign you in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “You” lets a toddler name the person in front of them before words arrive. It is a single index finger pointed directly at…

Learning how to sign me in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Me” is often the very first pronoun a signing toddler uses. It is a single index finger pointed at the signer’s chest —…

Learning how to sign white in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “White” pulls off the chest and closes, like plucking a crisp white shirt. It is a smooth, satisfying sign and a useful one…

Learning how to sign orange in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Orange” squeezes an invisible orange at your chin — fruit and color in one sign. The mime is so literal that toddlers often…

Learning how to sign yellow in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Yellow” is the letter Y doing a little shimmy. Thumb and pinky out, twist twist — one of the easiest color signs for…