How to Sign “Sit” in ASL: Baby Sign Language Guide

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 little legs sitting on a bench. Most toddlers manage it between 10 and 14 months.

How to Sign “Sit” in ASL

ASL sign for sit: two fingers resting across the fingers of the other hand
ASL sign for sit: bent H-hand on top of flat H-hand, like legs on a bench

Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

  1. Make the handshape: Extend your index and middle fingers together on both hands.
  2. Stack them: Hold one H above the other, palm down on both.
  3. Set down: Rest the upper fingers across the lower ones.

The sign looks like two little legs dangling from a chair.

Step-by-Step Photos

ASL sign for sit: two fingers resting across the fingers of the other hand
Make an H-hand (two fingers extended) on each hand.
ASL sign for sit: bent H-hand on top of flat H-hand, like legs on a bench
Rest the top H on the back of the bottom H, like legs sitting on a bench.

Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

When to Use It With Your Child

  • At storytime: “Time to sit!” sign before reading.
  • At the table: “Sit down first, then food” uses the sign as a natural cue.
  • Safety moments: “Sit in the cart” gives the instruction a clear visual form.

Tips for Success

  • Pair with “stand” so toddlers can do sit/stand as a movement game.
  • Two fingers resting on the back of the other hand works for small hands.
  • Signs paired with immediate rewards are learned fastest.

Signs Related to “Sit”

“Stand” (two fingers standing upright on a flat palm) and “walk” complete the basic movement vocabulary.

“Sit” is one of the first receptive signs toddlers understand, often before they produce it.

More ASL Signs to Learn

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 sit in ASL?

You can introduce the sign for sit 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 sit?

Most babies begin producing a recognizable version of the sign for sit 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 sit the same in baby sign language programs?

Yes. Most baby sign language programs teach the authentic ASL sign for sit. 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.