The Nature vs. Nurture Debate: Are Talents Born or Made?

As humans, we are all born with different talents, skills and interests. Some of us are born with the ability to sing like an angel or dance like a pro from the get-go. Others may not be so lucky, but these things can be learned over time with practice and dedication.

In this blog post, you will learn about the nature vs. nurture debate as it applies to talent and developing your child’s potential in any area they show an interest in.

What is Talent?

Before we go any further on this topic, let’s first define what we mean by talent. Talent is the natural ability or gift for doing something well. The key here is that it is the ability. It is not something that you can control or something you are responsible for. You may have a gifted child, but you cannot make them become a doctor, for instance.

While some people are naturally better at certain things than others, everyone has the potential to be good at anything. With the right guidance, practice and determination, any child can excel in any area.

The Nature Vs. Nurture Debate

The nature vs. nurture debate is one that has been going on for centuries. This debate centres around whether traits like personality, temperament, health and even talents are mostly the result of genetics and biology or the result of environment, culture and upbringing.

Children’s abilities and talents are often observed at a very early age, and parents and educators have been debating the role of nature and nurture in the development of these talents for centuries.

Genetics and Talent Development

We know that genetics plays a huge role in the development of our children. This is why the colour of their eyes and hair, their skin tone and general facial features are very similar to their parents’. This is because they are genetic traits and were passed down from one generation to another.

When it comes to abilities, traits and creative talents, genetics can also play a role. However, it is very important to note that the role of genetics is not to make your child pre-destined to become a famous artist or athlete.

Rather, genetics can influence the likelihood that your child will be able to pick up a skill more easily than others.

For example, if both of your parents were musically gifted and played instruments as kids, it is more likely your child will have an aptitude for music as well. That doesn’t mean your child will become the next Beethoven, but it does mean that they will likely pick up the skill easier than other children who aren’t as naturally gifted in this area.

Environment and Talent Development

While genetics play a role in the development of your child’s natural abilities, environment has a huge effect on how those abilities are developed. This is why children whose parents are professionals in their field often struggle to pursue a similar career path.

In order to develop your child’s abilities and creative talents, you must provide them with the right tools and environment. This means exposing your child to whatever field they show interest in.

If your child shows interest in art, provide them with a variety of materials and encourage them to explore freely. If they like reading, make sure they have access to plenty of books and reading materials. If they like sports, make sure they are getting the right amount of physical activity and at a level that is challenging enough to make them strive to improve.

Which Plays a Bigger Role?

As we have discussed above, each of these factors has a role to play in your child’s development. However, research shows that genetics accounts for about 40% of a child’s abilities. This means that 60% of the development of a child’s abilities is down to the environment and factors that can be altered.

The level of education and culture in your child’s environment will also dictate their ability to develop their skills. For example, a child growing up in a poor neighbourhood with fewer resources and less educated parents will have a much harder time developing their skills than a child who has access to a wide variety of resources and educational institutions.

The bottom line here is that while genetics do play a role in the development of a child’s talents, they are not a pre-destination. From the moment your child is born, you have a role to play in their ability to develop their skills.

Make sure you provide them with the tools and environment they need to develop and excel in any field they show an interest in. With nurturing and support, your child can achieve anything they set their mind to.