Doesn genetics play a major role in determining how good a child is at maths and reading?
The Institute of Perceptual Learning acknowledges the role of genes in determining how a child learns. However, the Institute does not believe it plays a major role. It is merely a foundation from which to work. At present we are unable to alter our genetic makeup. What parents can influence however, is the environment in which their child grows up. Intuitively a genetically brilliant child without a nurturing environment would not grow up with adequate learning skills. At the same time a genetically average child could acquire superior learning skills if they grew up within a nurturing environment. Therefore let’s not engage in the “nurture versus nature” debate; rather just accept the cards nature has dealt us and let’s work with the instrument that is available to us, the environment.