How to Learn Songs in ASL

Learning songs in ASL stimulates children's memory and creativity.

Sign language is a method of communication that replaces or accompanies spoken language. It uses a range of hand and body movements and gestures to communicate thoughts, feelings, concepts and intentions. According to Oregon's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, American Sign Language (ASL) is used by "the majority of Deaf individuals in the United States." Learning songs in ASL enables children to participate in group singing sessions, even if they cannot hear the music and lyrics. The addition of visual cues and signs enhances children's comprehension, memory and creative skills and develops hand-eye coordination and motor control. If you wish to teach children songs in ASL, learn to sign the songs by yourself initially so that you can confidently transfer this knowledge to the children.

Things You'll Need

• Software program, CD or book of children's songs with accompanying illustrations of ASL signs

Instructions

1. Obtain a software program, CD or book of songs with illustrations of accompanying ASL movements and gestures, such as the "Kids Love to Sign Kit" at SongsForTeaching.com or "With Hearts and Hands and Voices" by Susan J. Harrison.

2. Choose a song that you wish to learn, and refer to the lyrics of that song. Play the song, read the lyrics and sing along with it several times until you know the melody and lyrics and can sing it confidently all the way through.

3. Follow the instructions for signing words that accompany the song you have chosen. Sign instructors Ken and Georgia Frawley at WeSign.com advise you to "choose how many and which specific signs you want to use." Practice the sign language movements and gestures slowly in front of a mirror to boost your visual and kinesthetic (tactual) memory of each sign.

4. In front of a mirror, sing each line of the song slowly and add the appropriate sign language movement or gesture as required in the song.

5. Sing and sign each line of the song at a gradually increasing tempo until you can confidently sing and sign the lyrics together at the song's appropriate tempo.

Tips & Warnings

• If learning a particular song proves too challenging, ignore some of the signs that are presented and focus on learning only a few of the signs that accompany the song lyrics.

• Practice regularly each day.

• Repeat the learning process for additional songs in American Sign Language each time you have mastered the melody, lyrics and sign language of a song.

References

• Oregon: ASL: A Distinct Cultural Language
• Songs For Teaching: Kids Love to Sign Kit
• "With Hearts and Hands and Voices"; Susan J. Harrison; 2000
• We Sign: Songs and Signs