Introduction:

When I was an eight-year-old girl just starting out on my American Sign Language journey, any and all ASL-related finds were a cause for celebration. In those Dark Days (before online American Sign Language classes, Starbucks, and ASL courses for kids), it was hard to find anything child friendly to work with. In fact, many of the resources I found were not very good and probably set me back a bit on my learning. The good news is, times have gotten better! Here are four ways you can support and encourage your ASL-loving child with your gift-giving this holiday season:

Buy Deaf

Thanks to Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, Deaf creators are making an even greater mark on the world. You can feel great about supporting their shops while buying your child an ASL-themed gift. The clothing and accessories made by Erry B., a Black Deaf woman, are all on my wish list! I'm getting stickers and pins for my ASL students from the By Mara shop. Sara Miller at Language Priority has Holiday Collections that are adorable.

Invest in Classes

The time to enroll your child in ASL classes is now! There are lots of different programs out there, and many different teaching styles. Make sure you check that the teacher is experienced in teaching children, not just adults, and that they have an age-appropriate curriculum they are following. If you are looking for local in-person classes, check out your state's Deaf Schools and Associations for suggestions. Online courses are a great option for children because they can be flexible and self-paced. My students love our online courses and make great progress in a short time. Buying a semester of fun and educational classes is a great gift!

Share Experiences

One of the highlights of my early introduction to the Deaf World was going to see Deaf theatre productions and Sign Interpreted events. In today's digital world, many of these productions can be accessed online. Keep your eye out for future performances by Deaf West Theatre, the National Theatre of the Deaf, and Sound Theatre Company. Performances come and go, so search often for events close to your city and surprise your child with the gift of ASL theatre.

Shop Wisely

There are a ton of ASL dictionaries and books out there, but I wouldn't recommend most of them. The American Sign Language Handshape Dictionary is truly an exception. It can help your child develop an awareness of the visual characteristics of Signs. Want to really surprise your child? Give them this book and these games, then sit down to learn some signs and play together.

This holiday season, I hope these suggestions help you get creative with your gift-giving. More than ever, we all need and want good holiday memories. I will never forget the year I unwrapped an ASL dictionary from my Mom and got to go to my first real ASL class. Let your child know that you support and encourage their interests by including some of these gifts in your holidays. Happy Holidays!