Learning how to sign us in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “Us” is the sign that puts you and your child in the same category. An index finger arcs from one side of the chest to the other, as if drawing a circle around both people. Most toddlers manage it between 14 and 18 months.
How to Sign “Us” in ASL
Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Make the handshape: Extend your index finger.
- Touch one side: Point it to one side of your chest.
- Arc to the other side: Swing the finger across to the opposite side of your chest.
The sweep means “all of us” — exaggerate the arc so it clearly covers both people.
Step-by-Step Photos
Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
When to Use It With Your Child
- Team moments: “We did it — us!” reinforces shared achievement.
- Planning together: “Us go to the park” gives the sign a real referent.
- Inclusive reading: Point at relatable characters and sign “us.”
Tips for Success
- Start with “me” and “you” before “us” — the group concept builds on the individual ones.
- Exaggerate the arc so the sweep is visible; a tiny movement reads as “me.”
- Connect it to the word “together” — toddlers love doing things together.
Signs Related to “Us”
“Me” and “you” are the building blocks, and “our” (a flat hand sweeping from shoulder to shoulder) is the possessive version. Together they give toddlers a complete set of first-person pronouns.
Group pronouns like “us” develop slightly later than “me” and “you” because they require understanding that two people can share a category.
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 us in ASL?
You can introduce the sign for us as early as 14–18 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 us?
Most babies begin producing a recognizable version of the sign for us 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 us the same in baby sign language programs?
Yes. Most baby sign language programs teach the authentic ASL sign for us. 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.