International Day of Sign Languages - post

What is the International Day of Sign Languages and how can early childhood programs mark it?

The U.N. has declared that September 23 is the International Day of Sign Languages. The day is an opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of deaf people and other sign language users. Early childhood programs can mark the day with classroom activities, family engagement, and staff development. For classroom strategies on supporting early communication and nonverbal learners, see our Language Development in Early Childhood Buy Now $16.00 course and our practical workshop Building Bridges for Dual Language Learners Buy Now $25.00 (goal: introduce training options in the introduction). For the U.N. background, continue here: read the U.N. overview. Also check with local Deaf-led organizations and your state licensing agency for guidance about culturally appropriate resources, interpreter availability, and whether specific trainings count toward registry or licensing requirements.

How can I teach basic signs and incorporate them into daily routines?

Ready activity resource: See our practical activity ideas in the ChildCareEd blog: International Day of Sign Language Activities. Begin with 8–12 concrete signs (hello, thank you, more, eat, sleep, help, stop, finished, play, please). Embed signs into transitions: use a sign when you say 'hello' at arrival, sign 'please' at snack, and sign 'finished' at clean-up. Keep signs visual and consistent—use the same gesture with the same words every day—and model them with exaggerated facial expression to support comprehension. Use songs and games to reinforce signs; our article Teaching Sign Language Through Songs, Games, and Play offers specific song-based activities and simple games tailored for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers (goal: practical classroom activities, links to activity article).

How can programs involve families and respect cultural identity when celebrating sign language?

Invite families to share their home signing practices and any sign language(s) used at home. Send a simple one-page parent handout (provide examples in multiple languages) describing the signs your classroom will use, and encourage families to teach a sign back to the class. Partner with families to ensure the celebration is culturally respectful and that it represents the languages children actually use. For program-level family partnership strategies, see How can childcare programs use inclusive practices every day? and How can I build cultural awareness in my classroom? (goal: family engagement and program links).

What staff training and continuing education supports effective practice?

Staff training should cover typical early communication development, strategies for nonverbal learners, and simple signing practices safe for infants and toddlers. Recommended ChildCareEd trainings include Recognize, Respond, Respect: Supporting Diverse Learners Buy Now $55.00 (covers sign use for infant communication and inclusion strategies) and our Language Development in Early Childhood course to align sign use with language milestones. If your program serves dual language learners, Building Bridges for Dual Language Learners Buy Now $25.00 offers family communication strategies and culturally responsive approaches. Confirm with your state registry whether specific courses are accepted for credit before assuming they fulfill a mandated training requirement (goal: course_links and training guidance).

How can I make the celebration accessible and inclusive for children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing?

Consult with local Deaf/hard-of-hearing specialists when possible. Use visual supports (pictures, gestures, real objects) to pair with signs and spoken words, and provide quiet, well-lit spaces for visual attention. Avoid assuming all families use the same sign system—ask families which sign language (for example, ASL or a national/local sign language) they prefer. For program-level inclusion guidance and representation, see How can we create classrooms where every child feels represented? and How can child care programs support diversity and inclusion? (goal: accessibility and inclusive-practice links).

How does sign language support language and social-emotional development?

Sign-supported communication enhances early language acquisition and social-emotional regulation by giving children reliable, intentional ways to signal needs, initiate interaction, and participate in shared routines. When teachers embed a small set of consistent signs within contingent, scaffolded exchanges (for example, narrating actions while signing and expanding a child’s signed attempt), they create repeated opportunities for joint attention and vocabulary learning that support later emergent literacy. Documenting sign use as part of your language portfolio—when a child requests, responds, or combines sign with vocalizations—helps link everyday practice to measurable language goals. For staff who want training that situates sign use within developmental milestones and assessment, see our Language Development in Early Childhood and the inclusive-practice strategies in Recognize, Respond, Respect Buy Now $55.00.

Which sign systems and cultural practices should programs recognize?

Different families and Deaf communities use distinct sign systems (for example, American Sign Language, Signed Exact English, regional sign variants, or home signs). Programs should not assume a single system: document family preferences, consult local Deaf-led organizations when possible, and prioritize culturally congruent resources and interpreters. Recognizing the linguistic identity of Deaf children and sign-using families is an inclusion practice that improves interaction quality and supports families’ linguistic rights.

What materials and assessment practices help teachers track progress?

Use simple observational checklists that note when a child uses a sign to request, to respond, or to initiate interaction. Incorporate sign use in your language and literacy documentation and share progress with families. For assessment routines that link to language goals, see How Family Background Influences Babies’ and Children’s Development and our article on assessment strategies How Does Singing Together Build Community in the Classroom? as ways to connect communication activities to broader developmental goals (goal: practical documentation and assessment links).

What are the next steps and a short checklist for programs planning a sign language celebration?

1. Choose 8–12 classroom signs and create visual cards for each sign.
2. Send a bilingual parent note explaining the plan and inviting contributions.
3. Integrate signs into daily routines for two weeks before the event to build familiarity.
4. Offer a short staff in-service or shared reading about signing strategies; reference the recommended courses above.
5. On celebration day, center child-led activities, family sharing, and documentation that can be shared in your program portfolio.

Conclusion: What are the key takeaways?

Celebrating the International Day of Sign Languages is both symbolic and practical: it affirms linguistic diversity while giving staff and families concrete strategies to support early communication. Begin with the blog activity list (International Day of Sign Language Activities), then consider training to align practice and assessment—for example, Language Development in Early Childhood Buy Now $16.00 or Recognize, Respond, Respect Buy Now $55.00. Use a handful of consistent signs, involve families, document children's use, and pursue targeted staff training that connects sign use to language development goals. Archived from ChildCareEd's newsletter (archival note only). #sign-language #cultural-diversity #diversity #inclusion #ASL