Learning how to sign don’t know in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Don’t know” is one of the most natural phrases in any conversation. A bent hand at the forehead flips outward. Most toddlers manage it between 18 and 24 months.
How to Sign “Don’t Know” in ASL
Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Make the handshape: Bend your fingers at the second knuckle, palm facing you.
- Touch the forehead: Place the bent fingers at your forehead or temple.
- Flip outward: Rotate the hand away, ending with the palm facing forward.
“I looked in my head for the answer and it wasn’t there.” The flip tosses the unanswered question away.
Step-by-Step Photos
Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
When to Use It With Your Child
- At genuine unknowns: Model it honestly when you don’t know.
- Book mysteries: “Where is the bunny hiding? Don’t know — let’s look!”
- Modeling uncertainty: Showing adults don’t always know is a healthy lesson.
Tips for Success
- A shoulder shrug paired with the sign adds full facial grammar.
- Honor the sign when they use it — “you don’t know; that’s okay.”
- Pair with “I wonder” to keep curiosity alive.
Signs Related to “Don’t Know”
“Know” (bent fingers tapping the forehead) and “understand” (an index finger that flicks up at the temple) complete the knowledge trio.
Expressing uncertainty shows toddlers understand that others have different knowledge states — a key “theory of mind” milestone.
Learn more: National Association of the Deaf — ASL resources and advocacy from the National Association of the Deaf.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start teaching my baby how to sign don’t know in ASL?
You can introduce the sign for don’t know as early as 18–24 months. Babies understand signs before they can produce them, so start modeling it consistently and reward any attempt — even an approximation — with the item or action right away.
How long does it take for a baby to learn to sign don’t know?
Most babies begin producing a recognizable version of the sign for don’t know within two to four weeks of consistent daily modeling. Frequency matters more than perfect form at this stage — sign it every time the word comes up naturally in your routine.
Is the ASL sign for don’t know the same in baby sign language programs?
Yes. Most baby sign language programs teach the authentic ASL sign for don’t know. Using real ASL rather than invented gestures means your child’s signs will be understood by Deaf signers and build a foundation for learning more ASL as they grow.