This keynote presentation delves into the pivotal importance of early language exposure, particularly for deaf children, in preventing language deprivation and promoting robust cognitive and academic development. Grounded in recent research, we will explore how varied language inputs, especially from non-native signing parents, impact early vocabulary acquisition and long-term academic success. The session will also discuss the bilingual advantages of learning ASL and English, dispelling myths surrounding the potential interference between these languages. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of why early and consistent exposure to a usable first language is critical for the overall development of deaf children.
After the keynote, participants will be able to:
Naomi Caselli is an Assistant Professor of Deaf Education, director of the Deaf Center, and the director of the AI and Education initiative at Boston University. She is hearing, and her first languages are American Sign Language (ASL) and English. She leads a research team that works to make research on language—across education, computer science, linguistics, psychology, and medicine—inclusive of sign languages, and to ensure all deaf children have access to language. To achieve these goals, her research is centered on three questions: