This document discusses phonological development from prelinguistic stages to early word production. It covers:
1. Babies' ability to perceive speech sounds from birth and how their perception becomes tuned to their native language. Researchers assess perceptual ability using sucking and head turn techniques.
2. Stages of prespeech vocal development from reflexive crying to reduplicated and non-reduplicated babbling between 0-18 months. Babbling is influenced by the target language.
3. The transition from babbling to first words involves protowords and sensorimotor morphemes before words resemble the target language. Phonological processes develop as children alter sounds to match their abilities.