Start ASL With Alphabets
Learn American Sign Language alphabet handshapes; practice fingerspelling letters, spell your name and simple words, and play memory games to improve fluency.
About this activity
Learn American Sign Language alphabet handshapes; practice fingerspelling letters, spell your name and simple words, and play memory games to improve fluency.
What you need
Step by step
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Step 1
Sit at a table and place the ASL alphabet chart and mirror where you can see both.
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Step 2
Shake your hands and stretch each finger to warm up your hands.
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Step 3
Practice letters A to I by pointing to each letter on the chart and copying its handshape in the mirror.
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Step 4
Practice letters J to R by pointing to each letter on the chart and copying its handshape in the mirror.
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Step 5
Practice letters S to Z by pointing to each letter on the chart and copying its handshape in the mirror.
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Step 6
Write your first name in big letters on the paper so you know the spelling.
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Step 7
Slowly fingerspell your first name one letter at a time while watching your hands in the mirror.
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Step 8
Pick two small objects or picture cards from around the room to practice with.
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Step 9
Fingerspell the first object’s name slowly while watching your hands in the mirror.
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Step 10
Fingerspell the second object’s name slowly while watching your hands in the mirror.
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Step 11
Shuffle your picture cards or objects and lay them face down in a small grid for a memory game.
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Step 12
Flip two cards or objects over so everyone can see them.
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Step 13
Fingerspell the word shown on each flipped card out loud while watching your hands.
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Step 14
If the pictures match keep the pair otherwise flip them back face down and try again.
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Step 15
Share a photo or short description of your ASL practice and memory game on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do you start teaching the ASL alphabet to a child?
Start by showing a clear ASL alphabet chart and modeling one or two handshapes at a time. Have the child mirror each shape, using a mirror so they can self-correct. Practice fingerspelling letters slowly, then speed up. Spell the child's name and simple words, letting them repeat. Turn it into memory games with cards: show a handshape, hide it, ask to recall. Keep sessions short (10–15 minutes) and praise attempts to build confidence.
What materials do I need to teach ASL alphabet at home?
You'll need a printable ASL alphabet chart or flashcards, index cards or paper for custom letters, a mirror for self-checking, and a marker or stickers for labeling. Optional: a tablet or phone with ASL videos or apps, small objects for matching games, and a timer for speed drills. Most materials are low-cost or printable, and you can make homemade cards to keep the activity hands-on and flexible.
What ages is learning the ASL alphabet suitable for?
Start ASL alphabets can be introduced as early as 3 years old with simple modeling and play, but structured fingerspelling suits ages 5–7 when fine motor skills improve. Children 8 and up can practice spelling names, words, and competitive memory games independently. Adjust pace to attention span, use shorter sessions for younger kids, and supervise to ensure correct handshapes and encourage consistent practice across ages.
What are the benefits of learning the ASL alphabet for kids?
Learning the ASL alphabet boosts fine motor coordination, visual attention, and letter recognition — skills linked to early literacy. Fingerspelling enhances memory and sequential thinking, while games build social interaction and confidence. It also introduces children to deaf culture and inclusive communication. For variety, try timed drills, partner relay games, or making tactile cards to support multisensory learning and keep practice engaging.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have an ASL alphabet chart or a mirror for the activity?
If you don't have a printed ASL alphabet chart, open a chart image on a tablet or phone and use the smartphone front camera or a clean window as your mirror while you point to each letter and copy its handshape in the mirror.
My child keeps confusing similar handshapes—how can we fix this during practice A–I, J–R, S–Z and the fingerspelling steps?
Slow down the routine by stretching fingers, saying each letter aloud, pausing after pointing to each chart letter and checking the handshape in the mirror, and reinforce with the step where they write their first name before slowly fingerspelling it one letter at a time.
How can we adapt this ASL activity for younger preschoolers and older kids?
For preschoolers, limit practice to 6–8 letters and a simplified two-pair memory game with adult modeling at the mirror, while older kids can practice full alphabets, add timed memory rounds, and fingerspell whole words after writing their first name.
What are simple ways to extend or personalize the memory game and sharing step for more fun or challenge?
Decorate and label your picture cards, assign point values for matched pairs in the memory game, challenge players to fingerspell matched words aloud in the mirror, and record a short practice clip to share on DIY.org as the instructions suggest.