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Colors in ASL

If you are trying to learn sign language, learning clusters or groups of words is a great way to start. Many people start with numbers in ASL, or fingerspelling. But learning common ASL words and practicing them throughout the day is a great way to build up your ASL vocabulary.

The great thing about color is that it is everywhere! So, learning the ASL color signs is one way to build up the number of ASL words that you know.

Free printable worksheets for participants to learn the ASL signs for colors.

Children learn their colors at a very young age. And, they often have a favorite color. Asking someone their favorite color can be a way to initiate conversation and practice your skills.

When someone has language to use for colors, they can begin to express preferences.

Colors in American Sign Language

Learning American Sign Language often mimics learning our spoken and written word. Many children start with letters and numbers. Then, they move on to more descriptive words like colors. I have both the Sign Language Alphabet and Sign Language Numbers available for you on this site.

For this sign language colors activity, I have included two options for you. Both sets of ASL colors printables include common colors.

These ASL colors are the basics. If you become fluent in sign language, you’ll learn and use nuances like light and dark, and different variations of colors in sign language.

Only one set of worksheets has an empty oval for the person to color in with the color.

Both worksheets show a person doing the ASL sign for the color and have a space for the student to practice writing out the word.

Get a free sign language colors printable workbook.

You could also do finger tracing instead of writing. In any event, there are many skills to be practiced here, in addition to learning ASL color signs. Sign language is great not just for communication but to practice working memory, fine motor and other skills.

You might want to combine this activity with the ASL alphabet activity or learning ASL numbers. I have listed other skills that can be practiced at the bottom of the post.

Is there a way indicate that a color is dark?


Yes! The most common way to indicate darkness of a color is to do the sign for “dark” before doing the color sign.

You can sign a color sign in a more intense manner by using an intense facial expression. It’s important to remember that ASL does not just use the hands to express something, but your body language and facial expressions as well. Just like when you are talking!

You may have noticed this when watching the ASL interpreters on TV, such as when there is a hurricane or significant event. Their body language and facial expressions are quite animated.

Enjoy and happy signing!

ASLcolorsBook-1

And here is the second one–

ASLcolorsworksheets

ASL

Here is more for you if you are learning ASL.

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  • Fine Motor Skills-Games, crafts and coloring activities are a great way to use and practice a child’s fine motor skills.
  • Speech and Language– Many parents seek out a language-rich environment for their child. Any activity can be an opportunity to use and repeat new words and language, mimicking sounds, new vocalizations and articulations.
  • Executive Functioning Skills– Depending on the game or activity, it can be an opportunity to practice executive functions such as working memory, sequencing, following directions, task initiation and more.
  • Handwriting and Fluency- This piggybacks onto the language skills a child needs, but with worksheets, coloring pages and games, they can be a low-risk opportunity to practice handwriting and fluency.
  • Practicing Previously Acquired Skills-Applying already acquired skills across all environments, bring the classroom teaching into the real world.
  • Sensory-Textures, sounds, taste, vestibular, interoception, anything!
  • Social Awareness-Practice traditional social skills in a safe environment, such as: joint attention, taking turns, reciprocating conversation, waiting politely, and more.
  • Gross Motor-If you’re in a new place, practice walking across uneven surfaces, new surfaces, inclines & declines, stairs, or increasing endurance.

ASL and your IEP

If you or your child uses ASL or sign language, or, you wish for them to use ASL, there are a few things you should know.

  • ASL is the 4th most common language used in the USA (know this as a reference point, in case you hear “well no one really uses ASL anymore”)
  • Deaf/Hard of Hearing and ASL is one of the Special Factors on the IEP, which means that the IEP team must consider and discuss this.
  • If you use ASL as a parent, but your child is not deaf or hard of hearing, the school must provide an ASL interpreter if you request it (for IEP meetings, etc). The rule still applies that all communication with the parent must be in a language that you understand.
  • If your child is deaf, the team must still consider LRE or Least Restrictive Environment. A district cannot send a child to a school for the deaf just because they are deaf. All other options must be considered and discussed.
  • As always, submit your parental concerns in writing, follow up with a PWN.

Special Education Advocate

My goal is to make your IEP process easier. There are only a few thousand people in the country who know as much about IEPs as I do. I'm an IEP/Special Education Advocate who has attended 100s of IEP meetings. I live in Chester County, PA with my husband and two boys. When I'm not here, I'm probably in Harrisburg or DC lobbying!

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