Nature or Nurture

Researchers have been studying intelligence for decades. Yet, there are still so many unanswered questions.

Some researchers say that genes are responsible, others say environment.

Few researchers believe that our brains are an empty space or that our genes are our fate. In other words, we have the ability to learn but we must be in an environment that encourages and fosters learning.

Children that are gifted but left basically on their own with little encouragement or stimulation will not reach the level they would with encouragement and challenges. They won't reach their full potential.

They need a stimulating and challenging environment to help them succeed. This is true both at home in the early years and later in school.

The time you spend reading to your child, playing games, making puzzles, answering questions, and just listening to them, play a big part in how they turn out.

They have the tools for learning and developing high potential but they still need the encouragement. Many people assume that gifted children are lucky and can go it on their own.

The school and teachers play a big part in how well the gifted child does. The child that is left bored and staring out the window is not developing to his highest potential. He needs challenges and work at his level.

There is little doubt that intelligence and giftedness are as a result of both nature and nurture. This quote does a good job of summarizing.

"The route through childhood is shaped by many forces, and it differs for each of us. Our biological inheritance, the temperament with which we are born, the care we receive, our family relationships, the place where we grow up, the schools we attend, the culture in which we participate, and the historical period in which we live—all these affect the paths we take through childhood and condition the remainder of our lives." ~Robert H. Wozniak

Nature or Nurture to Parenting