Nature or Nurture? Which determines the child's ability to learn? Hereditary sets a limit on a child's potential and environmental experiences determine the extent to which his potential will be realized. For example, a child who is has some form of retardation will only develop intellectual abilities up to a certain low level however encouraging his environment is: a child born with a capacity for brilliance will perform as a genius if he receives the environmental stimulation needed to develop his natural abilities.
A child responds to his environment and the environment responds to the child's inborn traits. How so? Infants who are born with pleasant and easy dispositions received better care and more stimulating attention from their parents than infants with more difficult temperament. This shows that naturally outgoing children may in effect improve their own learning environments while children with more inhibitions and fears will avoid certain types of interaction that are potential learning experiences. Where then is the best place to mold a child's intellectual development?
The home, of course. Research has shown that there is a correlation between a child's mental development and the family's income and education level. Children with well-educated parents with comfortable incomes tend to have higher IQs and perform better in schools. Economics? Perhaps. Well-to-do parents have money to provide their children stimulating play materials and educational experiences. Children have the natural tendency to absorb the values and motives of the people who took care of them. They naturally follow the examples set by their earliest and most influential role model.
Most authorities believe that the strongest influences on a child's development are: moderate level of stimulation, adult caregivers who are affectionate and responsive, regularity and consistency in daily routine, a rich language environment and freedom to experiment and explore.
A child responds to his environment and the environment responds to the child's inborn traits. How so? Infants who are born with pleasant and easy dispositions received better care and more stimulating attention from their parents than infants with more difficult temperament. This shows that naturally outgoing children may in effect improve their own learning environments while children with more inhibitions and fears will avoid certain types of interaction that are potential learning experiences. Where then is the best place to mold a child's intellectual development?
The home, of course. Research has shown that there is a correlation between a child's mental development and the family's income and education level. Children with well-educated parents with comfortable incomes tend to have higher IQs and perform better in schools. Economics? Perhaps. Well-to-do parents have money to provide their children stimulating play materials and educational experiences. Children have the natural tendency to absorb the values and motives of the people who took care of them. They naturally follow the examples set by their earliest and most influential role model.
Most authorities believe that the strongest influences on a child's development are: moderate level of stimulation, adult caregivers who are affectionate and responsive, regularity and consistency in daily routine, a rich language environment and freedom to experiment and explore.
we had this discussion before in Biology class. The debate is quite interesting.
ReplyDeletebryan: yes, it is quite interesting. it's also a point of discussion for adopted kids.
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