DIY Customized Sign Language Cards
- Amy N.
- Nov 30, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 28
Author: Amy N.
American Sign Language can be a difficult language to learn and navigate at times, but similarly to other languages, you simply need to study and practice! This craft is intended to make studying and learning ASL (American Sign Language) fun and exciting.
What is American Sign Language?
American Sign Language is a language that has similar linguistic properties as any other spoken language. The main difference is that ASL is expressed with body language such as facial and hand expressions. A few other differences is that ASL has completely different rules compared to English, with its own rules for word formation, order, and pronunciation. This language is mainly used by Northern Americans who are deaf or those with hearing impairments. A fun fact about ASL is that there’s fingering spelling, which is exactly what it sounds like, using your finger to spell out English words.
Why make your own flashcards for ASL?
Some American Sign Language study materials cost a hefty amount for such a small amount of education. Not just that, making personalized ASL cards can be a gift for others or a fun activity to do with friends and family. Being able to make your own ways to study and learn in such a fun way is a win-win game, so instead of buying overpriced packages of flashcards, let’s make our own!
To Begin you will need:
Cardstock or heavy paper
Markers or paint
Stencils, Stickers (OPTIONAL for decoration)
Laminator (OPTIONAL, for durability)
Instructions:
Cut the card stock into your desired size for flashcards.
Choose words or phrases to feature on each card (pick phrases that you need to learn or want to teach others!)
Use markers or paints to draw the corresponding sign language symbol on one side of the card.
Decorate the other side with stencils or stickers to visually represent the word or phrase.
Laminate the cards if you wish to.
Photo Example:
Final Thoughts:
ASL can be fun to learn if you put the effort into making it fun, with this craft, you can put phrases/expressions you struggle with in ASL, and practice. Learning any language can be hard, but adding sparkles, stickers, or maybe glitter can help make the progress much more fun for you. In general, there are so many ways to learn ASL, but personalized cards may help promote something called active recall, a process of which you are retrieving information from your brain. With that, have fun learning with your newly made cards!
Resources: Walmart (includes everything and you can order online), Dollar Tree (includes everything except a laminating machine).
Prices (with the laminator): Walmart - $49.95
Prices (minus the laminator): Walmart - $25.94, Dollar Tree - $6.25
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