What is the primary language taught to a Deaf child in the Bilingual-Bicultural approach?

In the Bilingual-Bicultural (Bi-Bi) approach for Deaf children, the primary language taught is American Sign Language (ASL). This approach recognizes the importance of both Deaf culture and the natural language of the Deaf community. ASL is not simply a signed version of English; it has its own grammatical structure and cultural context, which helps in fostering a sense of identity and belonging among Deaf children.

The Bi-Bi approach emphasizes fluency in ASL as a means to access Deaf culture, while also promoting bilingualism with a written or spoken language, such as English or Spanish, to enhance communication with the hearing world. By prioritizing ASL as the first language, children can develop strong cognitive and social skills, laying a solid foundation for later literacy in the second language. This framework supports the holistic development of Deaf children, validating their cultural identity while also providing them with the tools to navigate both Deaf and hearing communities.