Deaf Youth Language Development: See How College Programs Transform Summer Learning

College summer programs give deaf teens language immersion with adult mentors and fluent peers, filling a gap school cannot.
Step-by-step ASL guides for the signs babies and toddlers learn first – eat, drink, more, please, milk, sleep, and dozens more. Each guide shows the exact handshape and motion with real photos, plus the age window when most children pick up the sign.

College summer programs give deaf teens language immersion with adult mentors and fluent peers, filling a gap school cannot.

Learning how to sign there in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “There” is the sign that points to somewhere else. An index finger aims at a spot that is not here. Most toddlers manage…

Learning how to sign remember in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Remember” is the sign that brings the past forward. A thumb touches the forehead, then comes down to meet the other thumb. Most…

Learning how to sign old in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Old” explains grandparents, dinosaurs, and ancient things all at once. A fist strokes down from the chin, miming an old man’s beard. Most…

Learning how to sign how many in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “How many” is the first quantity question most toddlers learn. Two closed hands fan open at chest level. Most toddlers manage it…

Learning how to sign welcome in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Welcome” is the sign that says “you belong here.” A flat, open hand gestures inward like opening a door and inviting someone through.…

Learning how to sign wrong in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Wrong” gives toddlers a neutral way to acknowledge a mismatch without shame. A Y-hand taps the chin once. Most toddlers manage it between…

Learning how to sign correct in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Correct” is the affirming sign that tells toddlers they got it right. One index finger stacks perfectly on top of another. Most toddlers…

Learning how to sign stand in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Stand” is the natural partner to “sit” — and toddlers love the contrast game. Two fingers stand upright on a flat palm. Most…

Learning how to sign sit in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Sit” is one of the most practical signs a toddler can learn. Two flat fingers rest on top of two flat fingers, like…