Sign Language Animals
This past year, my son went through a full Assistive Technology evaluation. One of the two modalities that we are going to focus on is signing. I had gotten away from it as his health declined. But, now that he’s on the rebound, he seems to be using it more.
He is very successful with PECS at school, but now we’re working on transferring that skill to home. But, he loves animals and many of the outings we do relate to animals (visiting local farms) so I want to expand his ASL vocabulary.
Video of Sign Language Animals
Here is a cute YouTube video that shows how to do different ASL signs for various animals.
ASL Animals Free Printable
As with everything I do with Kevin, I try to make it a whole sensory experience. Sight, sound, motor skills…the whole thing. That’s why I like this booklet.
So, here you go–enjoy!
Learning animals in sign language is a fun and rewarding way to expand your vocabulary in American Sign Language (ASL). As with any new language, it takes time and practice to master the signs for different animals, but once you have them down, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
There are a variety of resources available for learning the signs for different animals in ASL. One option is to attend a class or workshop, either in-person or online.
Another option is to find a tutor who is proficient in ASL and can work with you one-on-one. If you’re not able to attend a class or find a tutor, there are also many resources available online, including videos, articles, and tutorials.
When learning the signs for animals in ASL, it’s important to focus on both the hand shape and movement used for each sign. The hand shape is the position of the fingers, and the movement is how the hand moves to make the sign.
To master the hand shapes, it can be helpful to practice forming the hand shapes in front of a mirror or to use a tool such as a hand puppet to help you visualize the shapes.
Common Animals in Sign Language
In addition to hand shape and movement, it’s also important to understand the facial expressions and body language used in ASL.
This is because ASL is a visual language, and the facial expressions and body language used in the signs can change the meaning of the sign. For example, signing “cat” using a facial expression that suggests the cat is playful will convey a different meaning than signing “cat” with a serious facial expression.
Once you have a good understanding of the hand shape, movement, and facial expressions used in the signs for different animals, it’s time to start practicing. This can involve watching videos of people signing animals and trying to imitate the signs, or practicing with a partner who is proficient in ASL.
To help you retain the signs, it can also be helpful to write them down and to practice them regularly.
ASL Animals
Another important aspect of learning animals in sign language is to learn about the different types of animals and the specific characteristics that are associated with each type.
For example, you may learn that the sign for “bird” involves flapping your hands to represent the flapping of bird wings, or that the sign for “monkey” involves making a fist and shaking it in front of your face to represent the monkey’s playful behavior.
By learning about the specific characteristics of each type of animal, you can enhance your understanding of the signs and improve your ability to communicate effectively.
In conclusion, learning animals in sign language is a fun and rewarding way to expand your vocabulary in American Sign Language. By focusing on hand shape, movement, facial expressions, and the specific characteristics of different animals, you can build a strong foundation in signing animals in ASL.
Whether you attend a class, work with a tutor, or use online resources, practicing regularly and using the signs in real-life situations is the key to mastering this skill.
How to Say It in American Sign Language
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