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I love a good themed celebration as much as the next mama, and Halloween was no different when my boys were little. We did all the Halloween and fall activities in our area, they wore coordinating costumes, we read all the Halloween books, and we created a lifetime of memories.
And looking back, I realize just how many natural opportunities for language were packed into those Halloween traditions.
Holidays are a great time to introduce new language because there are so many new and exciting things for your little one to see, hear, and experience. From getting dressed in a costume and seeing decorations at the store to Halloween parties, trick-or-treating, and, of course, reading all those fun Halloween books!
One book that’s a consistent favorite among our Communication Junction families is Little Blue Truck’s Halloween. It has a lot of simple signs that are easy to incorporate while you read to your little one.
Learn Halloween Signs in ASL
Learning Halloween-themed signs can be easily added to your daily routine. Books are one of my favorite ways to build language because they give your child the chance to hear and see the same words over and over again. Adding a few simple signs gives your little one another way to participate in the story.
In our Halloween Read & Sign video, we’re reading Little Blue Truck’s Halloween and practicing a few simple signs along the way.
You don’t need to sign every word in the book. Pick a few words your child seems interested in and repeat them throughout the story.
Try this simple routine:
Say it → Sign it → Point to it → Repeat it.
For example, when you see the truck, say “TRUCK,” make the sign for TRUCK, and point to the truck in the picture. When you see it again, do it again!
Don’t worry about whether your child signs it back. Your job is to give them lots of opportunities to see and hear the sign in a meaningful moment.
And remember, repetition is one of the best ways little ones learn. If your child wants to read the same book over and over again, that’s actually a great thing! Each time you read it, you’re giving them another opportunity to hear the words, see the pictures, and connect those words with signs.
How to Make Any Halloween Activity a Language-Rich Experience
You can use this same approach throughout your Halloween activities.
While you’re getting dressed up, decorating, looking at pumpkins, going to a Halloween party, or trick-or-treating, look for opportunities to say it, sign it, and repeat it.
You can learn more Halloween-themed signs in this video! It teaches you how to sign “Happy Halloween”, “Ghost” and “Trick-or-Treat” in ASL.
You don’t need fancy materials or a lesson plan. Just follow your child’s interests and add language to the moments that are already happening.
Want More Halloween Fun?
We’ve created a FREE Halloween Activity Guide with simple activities you can enjoy with your little one all season long.
Use the activities as another opportunity to add signs, gestures, and words to things your child is already interested in.
And if you want more ideas for using signs, songs, books, and strategies to support your child’s communication, we’d love to have you join us at Communication Junction!
Happy reading and Happy Halloween!
