6 Best Asl Starter Sets For Parents That Deaf Educators Recommend

Deciding to bring American Sign Language into your home is an exciting first step toward opening up a new world of communication for your child. But that initial excitement can quickly turn to overwhelm when you see the sheer number of books, videos, and flashcards available. Choosing the right starting point is less about finding the "best" product and more about finding the best fit for your child’s developmental stage and your family’s unique rhythm.

Choosing Your Family’s First ASL Learning Tools

You’re ready to start, but where do you begin? A parent of a toddler has very different needs than a parent of a curious seven-year-old. The goal isn’t just to buy a resource; it’s to choose a tool that invites interaction and fits naturally into your life.

Before you invest, consider your primary objective. Are you supporting a deaf or hard-of-hearing child, where ASL will be a primary language? Or are you a hearing family introducing ASL for its cognitive benefits and to foster early communication? The intensity and structure of your approach will flow from that answer.

Think about your child’s learning style. Do they thrive with music and video, or do they prefer cuddling up with a book? A tactile learner might connect instantly with a puzzle, while a visual learner will be captivated by a well-produced video series. The most effective tool is the one your child will actually want to use with you.

The Signing Time! Foundation Kit for Young Learners

For families looking for a comprehensive, structured start, the Signing Time! series is a gold standard often pointed to by educators. It’s designed for the preschool set (ages 2-5) and uses a powerful combination of music, repetition, and real kids signing. This multi-sensory approach is brilliant for young minds, creating strong neural pathways between a word, a sign, and a concept.

This isn’t just a set of DVDs; it’s a foundational curriculum. The kit typically includes videos, music CDs, and books that all work together. It’s a significant investment, but one that can pay dividends if you’re committed to making ASL a core part of your child’s early development. It’s particularly valuable for families who want an "open-and-go" system that requires minimal planning. Plus, its high quality gives it excellent hand-me-down potential for younger siblings.

"My First Book of Sign Language" for Toddlers

What if you just want to dip your toes in the water? For parents of toddlers (ages 1-3), a simple, durable board book is often the perfect entry point. It’s screen-free, encourages one-on-one time, and introduces basic, high-impact signs like "milk," "more," and "all done" in a low-pressure way.

At this age, learning is about connection, not memorization. The act of sitting together, pointing at pictures, and modeling a sign is the real lesson. A board book supports this beautifully. It builds joint attention—the shared focus between you and your child—which is a critical building block for all future communication. This is a low-cost, high-reward tool that makes signing feel like just another part of story time.

Merka ASL Flashcards for Vocabulary Building

Once your child has a few core signs down, often around ages 4-7, flashcards can be a fantastic tool for vocabulary expansion. The key is to use them for play, not for drills. A good set of ASL flashcards will feature a clear image, the printed word, and a simple illustration of the sign.

Turn learning into a game. Play a matching game by laying out cards and signing one for your child to find. Go on a scavenger hunt around the house to find objects on the cards. Flashcards are for building a bank of words, not for teaching grammar or conversational skills. They are a bridge from single-concept signs to a wider world of communication, perfect for the age when children’s curiosity about the world is exploding.

Melissa & Doug ASL Alphabet Puzzle for Play

Never underestimate the power of play in learning. An alphabet puzzle that incorporates ASL handshapes is a brilliant example of kinesthetic learning—learning by doing. As a child (ages 3-6) grasps a puzzle piece, they are physically connecting the shape of the letter ‘B’ with the handshape for signing ‘B’ and a picture of a ‘Ball’.

This type of tool is wonderful because it doesn’t feel like a lesson. It’s simply a puzzle. It builds fine motor skills, letter recognition, and sign recognition all at once. For preschoolers, this hands-on approach can make an abstract concept like language feel concrete and accessible. It’s an ideal, low-stress way to introduce the ASL alphabet, which is the foundation for finger-spelling names and other words later on.

The SigningTime.tv Digital Subscription for Families

In today’s world, flexibility is everything. A digital subscription like SigningTime.tv meets families where they are—on a tablet at the kitchen table, on a phone during a long car ride, or on the TV in the living room. This option is fantastic for families with multiple children of different ages, as a subscription gives you access to a huge library of content for various skill levels.

The main consideration here is your family’s philosophy on screen time. The key is to use it actively. Watch together, practice the signs you see, and sing the songs. A subscription model allows you to explore a vast amount of material without the upfront cost of a large physical kit, making it a great choice for families who want to gauge their child’s long-term interest before making a bigger investment.

"American Sign Language for Kids" by Rochelle Barlow

As children grow (ages 6-10), their learning style shifts. They become more independent and capable of self-directed study. A well-organized book like "American Sign Language for Kids" can be the perfect tool to nurture a budding, genuine interest in the language. It moves beyond single words into phrases and simple sentence structures.

This kind of resource empowers a child. They can look up signs for things they’re curious about, from animals to feelings to foods. It represents a transition from parent-led introduction to child-led exploration. A book like this serves as a reference guide that can grow with your child, providing a solid foundation in vocabulary and basic conversational concepts that they can build on for years.

Integrating ASL Learning Into Your Daily Routine

Ultimately, the best starter "set" isn’t a product you buy; it’s the habit you build. The most successful families are those who weave signing into the fabric of their day. No flashcard or video can replace the power of you signing "water" when your child is thirsty or "love" before a bedtime hug.

Start small. Pick five signs that are relevant to your daily life—perhaps "eat," "play," "book," "sleep," and "more." Use them consistently every single day. The goal is to attach meaning to the signs through real-life context. This makes ASL a living, useful language, not just an academic exercise. Connection, consistency, and patience are the most important tools in your kit.

Remember, the goal is communication and connection, not perfection. Choose a tool that brings joy and interaction into your home, and you’ve already made the perfect choice. Every sign you share is a bridge being built between you and your child.