Which theory suggests that children's first words are derived from sounds already present in their babbling?

Ferguson's Theory posits that children’s first words arise from the sounds they have already mastered during the babbling stage. This theory emphasizes the natural progression of language development, suggesting that as infants engage in babbling, they experiment with sounds and syllables that eventually manifest as meaningful words. According to this perspective, the transition from babbling to meaningful speech is a seamless one, where the phonetic components of babbling provide a foundation for the formation of early words.

Understanding this concept is critical as it highlights the role of phonological development in language acquisition. It underscores the idea that children's early vocalizations are not random but rather serve as precursors to their first attempts at spoken communication. This theory aligns with observation that the sounds children produce when babbling often resemble the phonemes and syllable structures they later use in their lexicon, making it a valuable framework for comprehending how children begin to form language based on their earlier vocal experiences.