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Describe a Place in Sign Language

Describe a Place in Sign Language
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Learn to describe a favorite place using basic sign language signs, gestures, facial expressions, and spatial cues while practicing clear, complete signed sentences.

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Step-by-step guide to describe a place in sign language

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150 Essential ASL Signs | Part 1 | Common and Descriptive Signs

What you need
Coloring materials, mirror, paper, pencil, photo or small toy that reminds you of your favorite place, printed sign language chart or book (optional)

Step 1

Find a quiet spot and sit with your mirror paper pencil and the photo or toy of your favorite place.

Step 2

Shake out your hands wiggle your fingers and smile to warm up your hands and face.

Step 3

Look closely at your photo or toy and pick one favorite place to describe.

Step 4

Write three short words on your paper that describe that place (for example calm fun sunny).

Step 5

Use a sign language chart book or short video to find the signs for I like and favorite.

Step 6

Practice each of those basic signs one at a time in the mirror until your hand shapes look the same.

Step 7

Find the signs for two words from your list that describe the place (for example beach park home).

Step 8

Practice those place signs one at a time in front of the mirror until they are clear.

Step 9

Pick a spot in front of you to be the place (left right or straight ahead) to use as your spatial cue.

Step 10

Practice the facial expression that matches how you feel about the place (happy peaceful excited) in the mirror.

Step 11

Write a short signed sentence on your paper like I like the beach or My favorite place is the park.

Step 12

Sign your written sentence slowly in front of the mirror using the signs spatial cue and matching facial expression.

Step 13

Repeat your signed sentence three times to make it smooth and clear.

Step 14

Draw a small cue card with tiny pictures or words for each sign to help you remember the sentence.

Step 15

Share a photo or video of your finished signed description and your cue card on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a mirror, a photo/toy, or a sign language chart?

Use your phone or tablet front camera as a mirror, draw your favorite place on paper instead of a photo or toy, and play a short online sign-language video in place of a chart book while using your pencil or crayon to take notes.

My child's hand shapes or facial expressions don't match the video—how can we fix that?

Have them slow down and practice each basic sign one at a time in the mirror while comparing to the video, trace the hand shapes on paper to feel the shape, and use the small cue card as a visual reminder of the correct handshape and facial expression.

How can I adapt the steps for different ages or abilities?

For younger children simplify by choosing one descriptive word, using a favorite toy and parent modeling in the mirror with big cue-card pictures, while older kids can write a full signed sentence, pick two place signs from their list, and record themselves repeating it three times for clarity.

How can we extend or personalize the activity after we finish the basic sentence?

Turn it into a mini performance by making a set of tiny picture cue cards for several favorite places, assigning each place a different spatial spot (left, right, straight ahead), and recording a short video of the signed descriptions to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to describe a place in sign language

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Learn How to Sign Places Around the Town in ASL

4 Videos

Facts about sign language for kids

🌍 American Sign Language (ASL) is a full natural language used by hundreds of thousands in the US and Canada.

👀 Facial expressions and eye gaze are grammar in sign language: they can turn a sentence into a question or show intensity.

😊 Gestures and body movement (called constructed action) let signers act out being inside or moving through a place.

🗺️ Sign languages use the space around the signer like a map—pointing in different spots shows where things are located.

🤟 There are hundreds of distinct sign languages worldwide—each community develops its own way to sign.

How do I teach my child to describe a favorite place in sign language?

Start by picking a favorite place and brainstorming words to describe it (park, home, big, near). Teach the child the corresponding basic signs, then model how to combine them into clear signed sentences. Use spatial mapping—show where objects sit relative to each other—and add facial expressions to convey emotion. Practice with a mirror or video, prompt the child to sign full sentences, and give gentle, positive feedback.

What materials do I need to teach describing a place in sign language?

You’ll need a simple sign-language chart or picture cards for place-related signs (park, house, tree, big, near), a mirror for self-checking, and a phone or camera to record practice. Add small props or toys representing the place, a notebook for new vocabulary, and a quiet, comfortable space. Optional resources include online ASL videos and an adult or teacher to model and offer corrections.

What ages is the 'describe a place in sign language' activity suitable for?

This activity suits preschoolers through early teens—roughly ages 3–13. Young children (3–5) work well with single-word signs and imitation games; school-age kids (6–9) can form short signed sentences and use spatial cues; older children (10–13) practice complete sentences, sequencing, and expressive facial grammar. Adapt complexity and pacing, supervise young kids, and use repetition and play to keep it fun.

What are the benefits of teaching kids to describe places in sign language?

Learning to describe places in sign language boosts vocabulary, visual attention, and nonverbal communication skills. It strengthens memory through gesture-word pairing, supports emotional expression via facial grammar, and enhances sentence structure and spatial reasoning. The activity promotes inclusivity for deaf or hard-of-hearing peers, builds confidence through practice and performance, and improves observation and storytelling useful across school subjects.
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