How to Begin Teaching Auslan To Toddlers and Preschoolers

By empowering early childhood educators to embrace Auslan and foster inclusive communication from the earliest years. Here's a scaffolded guide to help you begin teaching Auslan in early childhood settings for toddlers and preschoolers.

Start with Purposeful Exposure

Introduce Auslan as part of daily routines—greetings, transitions, mealtimes, and emotional check-ins. Use signs for:

Hello / Goodbye
Please / Thank you
More / Finished
Emotions (happy, sad, tired)

Watch:

Learning Australian Sign Language - Learning Experience for ... – Kelli and Chloe from Kindy Kapers demonstrate simple signs like “more,” “finished,” and “thank you,” perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
Learn to Sign Auslan—Basic Edition—Covers greetings and basic conversational signs like “How are you?” and “Good morning.”
Auslan Baby Signs—an intro to baby sign language using Aussie sign language: AUSLAN.

Embed Auslan in Play and Storytelling

Use sign-supported songs, stories, and dramatic play to reinforce vocabulary and make learning joyful.

Watch:

Learn To Sign | Auslan & Key Word Sign | Toddler Learning ... – Ms Moni and Ms Michaela use Key Word Sign and Auslan in songs like “Wheels on the Bus” and “Twinkle Twinkle,” which are ideal for group time.
3 easy steps to teach children how to sign— Offers a simple framework using sign stories and sign singing to build visual communication.

Model Inclusive Communication

Encourage educators to learn fingerspelling and basic introductions to model respectful engagement with Deaf culture.

Watch:

Australian Sign Language: Introducing Yourself—Teaches how to fingerspell names and introduce yourself in Auslan, which educators can use during circle time or family engagement.

Celebrate Community and Culture

Highlight the importance of Auslan in building bridges between hearing and Deaf communities.

Watch:

Early Language Program: Auslan in Kindergarten—Showcases a Victorian initiative where 4-year-olds learn Auslan weekly, with strong support from the Deaf community.

What Are The Benefits Of Teaching Auslan Early?

Teaching Auslan in early childhood isn’t just about communication—it’s a gateway to empathy, cognitive growth, and inclusive practice. Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits:

Cognitive & Language Development

Enhanced brain flexibility: Learning a visual-spatial language like Auslan strengthens neural pathways and supports executive function.
Improved literacy: Early exposure to sign language can boost phonological awareness and vocabulary development—even in hearing children.
Supports bilingualism: Children exposed to both spoken and signed languages often show greater metalinguistic awareness and conceptual depth.

Communication & Emotional Intelligence

Non-verbal expression: Auslan fosters expressive skills beyond speech, helping children articulate emotions and needs more clearly.
Empathy and perspective-taking: Signing encourages children to tune into others’ cues, building emotional literacy and social sensitivity.
Inclusive peer interactions: Deaf and hearing children can communicate more equitably, reducing isolation and promoting belonging.

Cultural Awareness & Respect

Understanding Deaf culture: Children learn that language comes in many forms, cultivating respect for diverse identities and communication styles.
Celebrating diversity: Auslan becomes a bridge—not a barrier—between communities, reinforcing values of equity and inclusion.

Learning Through Play

Kinesthetic engagement: Signing involves movement, rhythm, and visual cues—perfect for early childhood learning through play, music, and storytelling.
Memory and attention: Using signs improves motion processing and retention, especially when paired with songs or visual routines.

Practical Tips For Teaching Auslan

Teaching Auslan to young children is a joyful, movement-rich experience that blends language, empathy, and play. Here’s a curated set of practical and developmentally appropriate tips to help you scaffold Auslan learning in early childhood settings:

Integrate Signs into Daily Routines

Use Auslan for greetings, transitions, mealtimes, and emotional check-ins.
Example: Sign “hello” during morning circle, “finished” at mealtimes, and “sad/happy” during emotional reflections.

Use Key Word Sign with Spoken Language

Pair spoken words with Auslan signs to reinforce meaning and support language development.
Focus on high-frequency words like “more,” “stop,” “help,” and “thank you.”

Embed Auslan in Music and Movement

Teach songs with Auslan signs—rhythm and repetition help retention.
Try “Sign Simon Says” or Auslan dance routines to make learning kinetic and fun.

Visual Storytelling and Puppetry

Use picture books, puppets, or felt boards to introduce signs for characters, emotions, and actions.
Narrate stories while signing key words to build comprehension and engagement.

Create an Auslan-Rich Environment

Display posters of common signs and fingerspelling charts around the room.
Use visual schedules with Auslan symbols to support routine and autonomy.

Celebrate Progress and Participation

Acknowledge children’s efforts with praise and visual cues.
Use sign-based certificates or stickers to reinforce learning and boost confidence.

Involve Families and Communities

Share simple signs with families for home use (e.g., bedtime, emotions, food).
Invite Deaf educators or community members to share their experiences and enrich cultural understanding.

Start with Fingerspelling and Counting

Teach the Auslan alphabet and numbers through games and flashcards.
Fingerspelling builds fine motor skills and introduces children to name recognition.

Activities For Auslan Sign

Here’s a curated set of engaging, developmentally appropriate Auslan activities tailored for early childhood settings. These blend movement, storytelling, emotional literacy, and inclusive practice.

Sign Simon Says

Classic game with a twist: instead of verbal commands, use Auslan signs.
Example: “Simon says sign ‘happy’” or “Simon says sign ‘drink’.”
Builds receptive skills and visual attention.

Auslan Storytime

Choose a familiar picture book and sign key words (e.g., emotions, animals, actions).
Invite children to echo signs or act them out with puppets.

Emotion Check-In Wall

Create a visual wall with Auslan signs for emotions (happy, sad, tired, excited).
Children point or sign how they feel during morning circle.
Supports emotional regulation and trauma-informed practice.

Auslan Treasure Hunt

Hide objects around the room and give clues using Auslan signs.
Example: sign “red” + “ball” and children find the matching item.
Reinforces vocabulary and spatial awareness.

Fingerspelling Name Game

Children learn to fingerspell their names and match with peers.
Use laminated cards with Auslan alphabet and name prompts.
Great for fine motor skills and identity-building.

Sign & Sing

Teach songs like “Twinkle Twinkle” or “Wheels on the Bus” with Auslan signs.
Use props or puppets to enhance engagement.
Rhythm and repetition support memory and language acquisition.

Auslan Role Play Corner

Set up a play area with visual prompts for signs like “eat,” “drink,” “sleep,” “help.”
Children use signs during dramatic play (e.g., café, doctor’s office).
Encourages spontaneous use of Auslan in social contexts.

Matching Card Game