Hippopotamus in Sign Language
Learn how to sign hippopotamus in ASL (American Sign Language) – this large creature is so much fun to sign about!
- With both hands: extend the pointer and pinky fingers. Tuck the middle and ring fingers into the palm, then tuck the thumb on top of them. These are the hippo’s teeth.
- Extend arms forward and touch the tips of the pinkies and the pointer fingers together. This is the hippo’s big mouth.
- Put all together, this sign looks like a hippo is opening his big mouth to say hello! Use this visual to help your remember the sign.
Teaching Tips – to learn how to sign hippopotamus in ASL
- Games for young children that have a focus on animals are always a hit! Pretend you are going to the zoo. Assign children different animals to pretend to be and teach them the sign for each.
- Using sand, water, and plants from the yard, create an outdoor hippopotamus habitat. Find a plastic hippo, and some other jungle creatures, to add to the space and let childhood imagination run wild. Practice your signs as you go!
Transcript:
Hippopotamus. Show his teeth and his big mouth opening. Hippopotamus.