Open
To do the open sign, take both hands together with palms facing you. Swing your dominant hand apart and away from your non-dominant hand. The sign looks like you are opening a door.
Flash Card
Use the open flash card in conjunction with the close flash card to teach those two signs.
8 Responses to “Open”
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As an SLP, I have seen many colleagues tap on an item to request opening an item, is this appropriate?
Hi Daniel, tapping and/or pointing are very common, practical ways that the SLP or deaf-mute community can communicate their specific needs. Of course, the facial expression and manner of pointing/tapping matter, too, right? So, taken in the general context and if conveyed in a polite, respectful manner, then it’s okay. Hope that answers your question.
Would ‘closed’ be the opposite gesture? And the same when a place (store, library, playground) is open or closed? Thanks!
ADMIN – Hi Matt,
Yes, closed is the opposite motion.
In your demonstration, the palms are facing outwards and then they rotate to face inwards. In your text description, you say that the palms are facing towards you so that when you sign, you rotate and the palms are facing outwards. Which is it????
ADMIN – Hi Lizzie,
Both are appropriate.
Thank you for this resource! Would use this sign to talk about opening a pouch of fruit purée? Or maybe the sign for ‘off’? When my 11-month-old wants me to open the pouch for her, she just throws it at me 🙂 I’d love to give her a different way of asking!
ADMIN – Hi Sarah,
Have your baby use a sign where both index and thumbs of both hands meet in the middle and twist in opposite direction as if in opening a package.
Hello . Please can you help me out with a sign for shut or closed? I am just reversing this open sign at the moment but am not sure it’s distinct enough to register with my little one. Z
ADMIN
Hi Zoe,
The sign for close is done by placing both hands with palms flat looking toward the front and closing them as in closing a cupboard.
What about opening a book? Can you have your two hands closed, facing each other, then open them as if opening a book?
I’d love to learn sign language this is great! Thanks
Janny