Note: Although we refer to American Sign Language (ASL) in the following text, we also support the use of other standardized signed languages in the countries in which they are used.

Get ready to learn a truly fascinating language that is unlike any other language in the world. American Sign Language, often referred to as ASL, is the only language that is strictly visual. ASL uses hand gestures and concepts to communicate. Although ASL has roots in French Sign Language, it is really unique to North America. Most countries have their own kind of sign language completely different than other kinds. For example, if you visit Russia, you will find that their version of sign language is totally different than ASL. There is no “universal” sign language that exists.

There are about 550,000-1,000,000 deaf people in the Unites States today who use ASL. Other people who use it have relatives and even deaf parents and the need to communicate is great. More and more hearing people are realizing the benefits for using ASL in their lives for many reasons, the most popular of which is using it with their small children to bridge that gap of pre-verbal infancy to speaking toddlers.

What is ASL?

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual-gestural language used primarily by deaf residents of the United States and parts of Canada. It became a fully developed communication system only in the early nineteenth century, following contact between the American reformer Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and deaf Frenchman Laurent Clerc. In 1815, Gallaudet, an evangelical Protestant minister from Hartford, Connecticut, traveled to England and then to France to learn how to instruct deaf children. Gallaudet became acquainted with Clerc at the National Institute for the Deaf in Paris, where Clerc taught, and in 1816 invited him to return to the United States. The next year, Gallaudet, Clerc, and a group of philanthropists opened a school for deaf children in Hartford, today's American School for the Deaf. The American School became the incubator for ASL.

ASL also reflects the influence of English. Initialized signs, made with a handshape that represents a particular letter in an English word, are common in ASL. The hand-shape for the letter G thus is used in the formation of the sign for the color "green," and the handshape for the letter B is necessary to produce the signs for "blue," "brown," and "beer." Furthermore, modern ASL incorporates a number of signs derived from the modification of fingerspelled English words. The usual ASL sign meaning affirmation or agreement, for instance, is a contraction of three finger-spelled letters, Y-E-S, into a single movement from the Y handshape to the S handshape. Similarly, word order in ASL may be undergoing modification, losing its dominant subject-object-verb pattern for the common English subject-verb-object.

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ASL Signs Offer Consistency

A Standardized System

The advantage of using ASL signs is that they are standardized throughout North America. If you go to a book store and open several ASL dictionaries, you will find that the vast majority of the signs are made the same way in each book. You will occasionally find some regional variations in ASL signs. One such sign is the sign for 'juice'. For our program, we have simply chosen to present the most commonly used sign for 'juice'.

Consistency Across Childcare Settings

Because ASL signs are standardized, they offer consistency across childcare settings. This consistency helps facilitate transitions for teachers or children who move to new classrooms or childcare centers. Teachers or children who move to centers using non-standard signs may have to learn an entirely new set of signs. This may be very confusing, especially for young children who have grown accustomed to using particular signs.

Consistency Across Educational Settings

In addition, ASL offers consistency across educational settings. Dr. Marilyn Daniels author of the critically acclaimed Dancing with Words: Signing for Hearing Children’s Literacy (Bergin & Garvey 2001) has found, based on over ten years of research with hearing babies and children in this country and the UK, that there are significant advantages for both children and parents if vocabulary words from ASL or BSL are presented to children rather than "home made invented signs". This is important as children routinely move from childcare settings, to nursery school, to preschool, to kindergarten, to elementary school, to high school, to college, and will consistently encounter ASL to var ying degrees in each of these venues.

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Using ASL With Nonverbal Users

It is not just deaf and hard of hearing children who use sign language. Another large segment of sign language users are hearing nonverbal children who are nonverbal due to conditions such as down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, trauma, and brain disorders or speech disorders. For parents, sign language provides a means of quick communication, particularly for those whose attention spans may be very short or language very limited. Or it may be a tool for language development prior to developing spoken language. For children, it is a means of expressing themselves so that they are less frustrated.

Autism

Sign language is frequently used as a communication tool with children with autism. An article on sign language on the Autism.org website encourages using signed exact english (SEE) with autistic children to promote speech development. Teaching children with autism how to use sign language is not as common a practice today as in previous years, possibly due to an increase in the use of computerized communication systems and facilitated communication. However, research suggests that teaching sign language via Total Communication (especially involving simultaneously produced signs and words) will likely accelerate a person's ability to speak (Creedon, 1976; Kopchik, Rombach & Smilovitz, 1975; Larson, 1971; Miller & Miller, 1973). The idea of teaching sign language and speech simultaneously is sometimes referred to as Signed Speech.

Down Syndrome

The experiences of parents and children with Down Syndrome in using sign language varies. Some parents of children with Down Syndrome find that using sign language reduces the incentive for children to speak as sign is easier for them. Others have found that using sign language encourages the development of speech in their children with Down Syndrome, and that the children drop the signs as they learn to speak.

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Using ASL With Children Offers Educational Advantages

A Boost For Early Literacy Skills

Sign language is becoming an integral part of preschool curricula. Research shows that adding a kinesthetic (movement) element to verbal and written language learning will positively impact early literacy skills.

Dr. Marilyn Daniels, author of Dancing with Words: Signing for Hearing Children’s Literacy, has found that hearing students in pre-kindergarten classes who receive instruction in both English and ASL scored significantly higher on standardized vocabulary tests than hearing students in classes with no sign instruction. Over the years, her studies have clearly demonstrated that adding visual and kinesthetic elements to verbal communication helps enhance a preschool child’s vocabulary, spelling, and early reading skills. For more information about Dr. Daniels' work, go to www.marilyndaniels.com.

A Foundation For Second Language Learning

Imagine spending your time developing a unique system of signs and gestures to teach your baby, only to discard it once she learns to talk. Compare that to learning signs from a rich and beautiful language that she can continue to use and explore as she grows. It is comforting to us to know that if our babies learn to use ASL signs; their usefulness will not end when our children learn to speak. And considering the growth of ASL programs from preschool through college, it is nice to know our children will already be comfortable with signing and can build on the foundation established during infancy.

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Why Educators Support the Use of ASL

"We're Already Using ASL!"

ASL is currently a standard part of many preschool curricula. Therefore, many teachers are already familiar with basic ASL signs and are welcoming the introduction of ASL into infant and toddler programs.

Consistency Across The Curriculum

MaryJo Dostal, Director of Union Bay Children's Center (serving the students, staff and faculty of the University of Washington) and co-founder of Sprouts Educational lessons shares her experiences:
"Based on our experiences of introducing ASL to hearing infants, toddlers, and preschoolers over the last five years, we have found ASL to be an incredible bridge between receptive language and verbal language. It is a wonderful tool for children learning English as a second language and for introducing a second spoken language. We have also found ASL to be an effective connection for children moving through infant, toddler and preschool groupings. By having the consistency of ASL throughout our entire program, the children and staff can easily communicate through recognized signs."

Facilitating Communication For All Children

Teachers recognize the importance of creating “inclusive” educational environments where all children can successfully learn and socialize, no matter what special needs they may have.

The use of ASL in early childhood programs is an important part of creating an inclusive educational environment. The use of non-standard signs may actually prevent children in these environments from communicating with one another.

"We use ASL due to the fact that some of our children will be using signs to communicate for a ver y long time. It is MOST rewarding to see all of the children in the classroom, both children with special needs and typically developing children, using signs to communicate with each other."
-- Kelly Kirchmar, MA, CCC-SLP,
Speech-Language Pathologist

"Our daughter was able to express herself through simple signs (milk, more, all done) at 8 months old. She is now 13 months and readily uses over 35 signs to express herself. Just the other day she picked up a feather from our parrot and signed, "bird- hair". It is amazing! She can express herself and we can discuss concepts you wouldn't normally think a 1 year old would understand."
Jessica Jordan, Nashua, NH

"Due to the fact that Miles has Down Syndrome, learning American Sign Language signs has helped to reduce his frustration immensely, while his oral-motor skills continue to develop. I wanted Miles to be able to have a structured language system that he could use in the world, not just at home. When people don't understand what Miles is trying to say, he will often use sign language to clarify his message. If we made up our own signs, people in the community may not know what he is tr ying to say."