This chapter outlines the developmental characteristics of sensory, perceptual, motor, and cognitive aspects of the young child and how they change over the first year of life. It also discusses early babbling behaviors as well as the aspects of cognition that contribute to the ability to symbolize, and thus learn language.
- http://speechlab.bu.edu/demos.php
The Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems at Boston University has written a summary of their work in simulating a model to help explain infant babbling. This site discusses a DIVA model they have constructed that learns to control the movements of a computer-simulated vocal tract. The model's articulator movements and acoustic signal can be captured in videos. The site contains auditory samples that illustrate several interesting aspects of speech in developing infants.
- http://uwnews.washington.edu/ni/article.asp?articleID=25475
This is an explanation of a study at the University of Washington by Dr. Patricia Kuhl and colleagues. Using new technology that measures the magnetic field generated by the activation of neurons in the brain, the researchers tracked what appears to be a link between the listening and speaking areas of the brain in newborn, 6-month-old and one-year-old infants, before infants can speak. They found that practice helps to build brain connections for babies learning language and how to speak
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