*It is crucial to incorporate animated facial expressions when using BSL, particularly when using signs that depict emotions.
Hold your dominant hand up in front of you with an open palm facing forward and all fingers slightly separated. Wave your hand from side to side.
Handy Hint: Hello and Goodbye are differentiated by lip pattern. For Hello, mouth the word ‘Hello’ while using the sign. For Goodbye, mouth the word ‘Goodbye’.
With your dominant hand open and fingers together, touch your chin, then move your hand forward.
Handy Hint: Please and Thank You are differentiated by lip pattern. For Please, mouth the word ‘Please’ while using the sign. For Thank You, mouth the word ‘Thank You’.
Hold both hands flat in front of you with fingers together and palms facing upward. Fold your fingers into your palms 2-3 times.
Handy Hint: Think of inviting somebody to come closer, welcoming them into your space. This is also the sign used for ‘You’re welcome’.
With your dominant hand, point at your chest with your index finger.
With your dominant index finger, point at the person you are signing to.
Hold your dominant fist on your chest with the back of your hand facing forward. Move your fist around your chest in a circular motion.
Handy Hint: Think of giving a heartfelt apology to say sorry.
With your palms open and fingers together, touch your chest with both hands. Next, move your hands forward and into a fists, leaving your thumbs extended.
Handy Hint: This sign is the same as the sign for ‘I’m good’. Be sure to mouth the words ‘How are you?’ and give an inquisitive look to differentiate.
Hold your dominant hand in a fist with your palm facing you and point your thumb upward.
Handy Hint: This is similar to the sign for ‘How are you?’, where you would touch your chest first and give an inquisitive look.
With both hands open, touch each hip lightly with your middle finger and stroke your hands up the sides of your body, finishing at chest height.
Handy Hint: Think about feeling the soft fabric of your shirt.
Hold both palms open and gently clap your hands together in a circular motion with your dominant hand on top. Repeat 2-3 times.
Handy Hint: Think of clapping when someone makes you happy.
Hold your dominant hand in front of your face with palm open, fingers pointing upward and thumb closest to you. Move your hand downward.
Handy Hint: Think of your emotions getting lower when you are sad.
Hold both hands in claw shapes with all fingers curled but not touching. With your palms facing you, place your fingers to your chest then bring your hands up to your shoulders.
Handy Hint: Think of being so angry you could rip your guts out.
Make two fists and hold them with pinky fingers facing downward. Stack your dominant fist on top of the other fist. As your hands meet, bend your wrists so that the back of your hands end facing forward.
Handy Hint: Think of feeling stressed or frustrated when you are unable to open the lid of a bottle.
Hold your dominant palm open with fingers together and touch your fingertips to your chin 2-3 times.
Handy Hint: Think of bringing your hand to your mouth when yawning out of boredom.
Hold both hands in claw shapes with all fingers curled but not touching and straighten your thumbs. Place one hand to your stomach and the other to your chest. Move both hands up and down in an alternating movement.
Handy Hint: Think of excited energy jumping up and down within your chest.
Bring your dominant hand up in front of your cheek with an open palm and fingers separated. Bring your face down to hide behind your hand.
Handy Hint: Think of hiding your face when feeling shy and not wanting people to look at you.
Hold both hands in claw shapes with all fingers curled but not touching. Place your dominant hand on your chest and your other hand to your stomach. Quickly move your hands in and out 2 times.
Handy Hint: Think of how your heart pumps faster in your chest when you’re scared.
Hold both hands in loose claw shapes with all fingers slightly curled but not touching. Bring your hands up by your head with your palms facing forward, then twist your wrists so that your palms end facing you.
Hold both hands up by your face with palms open and fingers separated. Move your hands in alternating circles around your face.
Handy Hint: Think of your hand movements as thoughts swirling around your head when you are confused.
With fingers separated and palms facing downward, touch your thumbs to your chest. Next, drop your wrists down and puff out your cheeks.
Handy Hint: Think of being tired from carrying a big heavy backpack.
With your dominant hand, make a ‘C’ shape with your thumb and index finger. Begin with the ‘C’ shape flat against your lower chest, then move upward.
Handy Hint: This uses the sign for the letter ‘C’. ‘C’ for Confident. To sign ‘not confident’, start on upper chest and move downward instead.
Hold your dominant hand up in front of your chin with palm facing you and fingers curled but not touching. Move your hand forward.
Handy Hint: Think of bringing your chin up with your hand, because you hold your chin up when you’re being brave.
Hold both fists up in front of you with the back of your hands facing forward. Clench your fists and flex your biceps.
Handy Hint: Think of showing someone how strong you are.
Point your dominant index finger sideways and place it against your forehead. Bend and straighten your finger 2-3 times while moving your hand to the other side of your forehead.
Handy Hint: Think of a silly, squiggly worm on your forehead.
Hold both hands in the centre of your body with palms open and fingers together. Move your hands in alternating backward moving circles, beginning by your chest and brushing down to your stomach 2-3 times.
Handy Hint: Think of gently patting yourself to calm down.
Hold your non-dominant hand flat with fingers together and palm facing upward. Curl your dominant hand and place the back of it into the palm of your other hand. Bring your hands up, close to your chest.
Handy Hint: Think of holding something special in your hands and bringing it close to your chest to keep it safe.
Cross your arms and place both palms flat on your chest.
Handy Hint: Think of a big loving hug.
Hold your dominant hand up in front of your nose with palm facing you and fingers curled but not touching. Move your hand down to your chin while bringing it into in a tighter claw shape with all fingers curled but not touching.
Handy Hint: Your hand scrunches up like your face would when you are grumpy.
Make a fist with both hands and stick out your pinky fingers. Touch them to your chest on the same side of your body so that they are pointing upward, then move your hands straight down until you reach your waist.