Learning how to sign don’t understand in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Don’t understand” gives toddlers a way to ask for help without frustration. A pinched hand near the temple flicks open. Most toddlers start using it between 20 and 26 months.
How to Sign “Don’t Understand” in ASL
Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Make the handshape: Pinch your fingers into a small O near your temple.
- Position at the head: Hold the O close to the side of your forehead.
- Flick open: Release the pinch, spreading the fingers open.
“Understand” is the lightbulb that turns on. “Don’t understand” is the lightbulb that won’t.
Step-by-Step Photos
Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
When to Use It With Your Child
- New instructions: When a toddler looks confused, model the sign and rephrase.
- After stories: “Did you understand that part?”
- Validating confusion: Label it when they gesture confusion.
Tips for Success
- Teach “understand” first, then the negative is obvious.
- A puzzled face pairs naturally — both are already happening.
- Respond immediately: re-demonstrate, slow down, show again.
Signs Related to “Don’t Understand”
“Understand” (index finger lighting up at the temple) and “don’t know” (bent hand flipping away) are the conceptual neighbours.
Toddlers who can flag confusion have shorter bouts of it before getting the help they need.
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 understand in ASL?
You can introduce the sign for don’t understand as early as 20–26 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 understand?
Most babies begin producing a recognizable version of the sign for don’t understand 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 understand the same in baby sign language programs?
Yes. Most baby sign language programs teach the authentic ASL sign for don’t understand. 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.