Learning how to sign hello in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Hello” is the friendliest first sign there is. It is a relaxed salute that arcs away from the forehead, and because greetings happen many times a day, babies see it constantly.
How to Sign “Hello” in ASL
Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Make the handshape: Hold your hand flat, fingers together, like the start of a salute.
- Touch near your forehead: Bring the hand to the side of your forehead, palm angled out.
- Arc outward: Sweep the hand away from your head in a small friendly arc.
A casual wave also means hello in ASL — the salute version is the more formal greeting, and toddlers usually blend the two.
Step-by-Step Photos
Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
When to Use It With Your Child
- At every greeting: Sign it when anyone arrives — repetition at the door does the teaching.
- With stuffed animals: March teddy in the door and have him “sign” hello.
- At drop-off: A signed hello to the caregiver gives your toddler a confident ritual.
Tips for Success
- Pair it with the spoken word and a smile every single time.
- Any hand flap near the head counts at first.
- Add “bye-bye” (a plain wave) the same week — arrivals and departures teach in pairs.
Signs Related to “Hello”
“Welcome / nice to meet you” and “how are you” build on hello as toddlers get older. The salute origin comes from military greetings, softened over time into the casual arc used today.
Greeting signs are among the most-recognized ASL signs by the hearing public, so a toddler who signs hello gets waves back almost everywhere.
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 hello in ASL?
You can introduce the sign for hello as early as 10–14 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 hello?
Most babies begin producing a recognizable version of the sign for hello 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 hello the same in baby sign language programs?
Yes. Most baby sign language programs teach the authentic ASL sign for hello. 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.