Regarding nature versus nurture, which one, , has the strongest influence on development? How will your beli?
Thursday, November 12th, 2009Regarding nature versus nurture, which one, in your opinion, has the strongest influence on development? How will your belief about nature versus nurture impact your approach to teaching?
I had the same question posed to me while in college. I chose nuture because my half-sister has a very similar worldview as my father because he raised her (although he is not her biological father). However, as a mother of twins, I see that two children in the same environment are fundamentally different – even from the second they were born.
As a teacher with over 10 years in the classroom, I have to say that to ignore the value of either is a handicap to yourself and your students. You must teach your students based on their natural intellectual abilities and learning styles. To engage your students, you have to appeal to their background and recognize that the value that a family places on education results in the passion that most students feel for your subject. You will get your teaching fulfillment by helping students achieve beyond their natural potential on a daily basis. Your biggest frustration will be the many students with natural potential that don’t see a need to fulfill it because of their "nurturing" home life. Rarely, you will pull a kid out of that situation – but cherish it!