Wait in Sign Language

Learn how to sign wait in ASL (American Sign Language). It’s a helpful one for classroom management and helping children learn patience.

1. Bring both hands up in front of you, palms facing in and fingers slightly separated.
2. Wiggle your fingers.
3. This sign looks like you’re wiggling your fingers to amuse yourself while you wait around. Use this visual to help you remember the sign.

Teaching Tips – to learn how to sign wait in ASL

• Teaching sign language to help children learn good behavior provides an excellent tool for teachers and parents alike. Use the sign for wait when on the phone, completing an adult conversation when a child needs attention, asking for a teacher when the teacher is working with another child, waiting in line, etc. Soon you will be able to cue children to wait patiently without having to actually interrupt what you’re doing.
• It isn’t easy to wait around! Work with your children to come up with strategies they can use while they wait. (Bring a book, sing a song, find a friend, choose a new toy, etc.). Remind them to use these tools when you sign they need to wait!

Transcript:
Wait! Let’s sign wait. Wiggle your fingers like you’re waiting. Wait.

Download the Flashcard (click on the image. Print in color or black-and-white and adjust the print size according to your needs.)