Tell Us What's for Breakfast in ASL
Practice American Sign Language signs for common breakfast foods, then record a short video demonstrating three to five breakfast items to share.
About this activity
Practice American Sign Language signs for common breakfast foods, then record a short video demonstrating three to five breakfast items to share.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather your picture cards or toy breakfast foods your ASL reference sheet your mirror and a small tray.
- 2
Step 2
Pick six breakfast foods you know like eggs toast cereal banana pancakes or juice.
- 3
Step 3
Find each chosen food on your ASL reference sheet and point to the picture so you know where the sign is.
- 4
Step 4
Copy the handshape and movement for the first sign slowly in the air while looking at the reference.
- 5
Step 5
Practice that same sign in front of the mirror three times to make your hands match the picture.
- 6
Step 6
Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for each of the other foods until you have practiced all six signs.
- 7
Step 7
Choose the three to five foods that felt the clearest when you practiced to use in your video.
- 8
Step 8
Arrange those chosen items on the tray in the order you will sign them.
- 9
Step 9
Warm up your hands by gently shaking them to loosen your fingers for ten seconds.
- 10
Step 10
Record a short video where you sign each chosen breakfast item and hold each sign for two to three seconds while showing the matching food.
- 11
Step 11
Watch your video and pick your favorite take.
- 12
Step 12
With an adult's help share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I do the "Tell Us What's for Breakfast in ASL" activity?
Choose three to five common breakfast foods (e.g., apple, cereal, toast). Look up each ASL sign from a reliable source or video. Practice the signs slowly in front of a mirror until comfortable. Set up a phone or tablet to record a short clip, demonstrate each sign clearly, and fingerspell the food name if needed. Keep the video brief (20–60 seconds), then watch and share with family or class for feedback.
What materials do I need for "Tell Us What's for Breakfast in ASL"?
You’ll need a device with video (phone or tablet), a quiet, well-lit space, and images or real examples of three to five breakfast foods. Optional materials: an ASL reference sheet or app, a mirror for practice, and simple props like plastic food or picture cards to make signs easier to connect to. No special equipment required—just patience and a willingness to practice together.
What ages is "Tell Us What's for Breakfast in ASL" suitable for?
This activity suits preschoolers through older kids. Ages 3–5 enjoy simple imitation and picture prompts; ages 6–10 can learn multiple signs, practice fingerspelling, and record short videos; ages 11+ can refine clarity and share with peers. Adapt pacing and expectations to each child’s attention and motor skills. Supervise young children with recording devices and keep sessions short and playful.
What are the benefits of practicing breakfast words in ASL?
Practicing breakfast signs builds early language skills, memory, and fine motor coordination while promoting visual communication and cultural awareness. It boosts confidence when children record and share their videos, encourages family interaction, and supports inclusive communication with Deaf or hard-of-hearing friends. Repetition strengthens learning and makes mealtime vocabulary more familiar in a fun, low-pressure way.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of toy breakfast foods, picture cards, or a mirror if we don't have them?
If you don't have toy foods or picture cards, use real breakfast items or print images from the ASL reference sheet, and if you lack a mirror use your phone's front-facing camera to follow Step 4 and practice in Step 5.
My signs don't look like the pictures when I check the mirror—what should I do?
If your handshape doesn't match the ASL reference during Step 5, slow the movement, copy the picture handshape while comparing to the ASL reference sheet frame-by-frame, repeat the mirror practice three more times, and warm up your hands as in Step 9 before recording.
How can I change this activity for a 3-year-old versus a 10-year-old?
For a 3-year-old, limit Step 2 to two toy foods and have an adult model each sign while the child copies once in the mirror (Step 5), but for a 10-year-old, complete all six foods, practice each sign three times (Steps 4–5), then pick 3–5 clear signs for the video (Steps 6–8).
How can we make the recorded video more creative or personalized before sharing on DIY.org?
To personalize, write fingerspelled labels on small cards to place next to each item on the tray, arrange them in the signing order from Step 7, and edit the recording to add close-ups of your handshapes during the 2–3 second holds (Steps 8–12) before sharing.