Nature vs Nurture: The Secrets Hidden in Your DNA

Hello NABU Team and Friends,

What shapes a child into who they become—their genes or their surroundings?

It’s a question many of us have wondered about, whether watching our own children grow or reflecting on our own paths.

This week, I’m exploring how nature and nurture work together in development—not as separate forces, but as a partnership—our biology shaped, nudged, and sometimes rewritten by the environments we move through.

From historical ideas to emerging science and personal reflections, we’ll trace how this understanding can shape the way we support every child’s growth.

A brief history of the nature vs nurture consensus

Historically, Western views on childhood have been shaped by philosophers like John Locke, who in 1632 introduced the idea of tabula rasa—the concept that children are blank slates shaped by their environment.

The idea of tabula rasa—that a child begins as a blank slate—has long shaped how we think about development. But as science evolves, so does our understanding: each child may arrive with a blueprint, yet their story unfolds through the layered influences of environment, timing, and care. 

In the 19th century, Charles Darwin’s laid the groundwork for developmental psychology, highlighting distinct stages of development, a theory that continues to influence educational practice.

Today, there is a consensus that while there is a general sequence of development, the timing and expression of these stages can vary significantly depending on the child and their environment. This view has profoundly influenced how educators think about guiding versus following the developmental process.

For further reading, I recommend the book The Scientist in the Crib.

My insights: why so much variation in the timing and expression of development amongst children?

This fascinating video on epigenetics deepened my understanding of the dynamic relationship between nature and nurture.

Epigenetics explores how environmental factors causes certain genes, such as the gene for stress management, are switched on or off. This science suggests that while our genetic code is inherent, the environment—and even the timing of environmental influences—plays a crucial role in determining how development unfolds.

This understanding has important implications for education. A nurturing environment can positively influence a child's cognitive development, even altering gene expression over time. Conversely, negative environmental factors can hinder development, making it harder to learn.

This insight reinforces the complex interplay between nature and nurture in shaping who we become.

Key Takeaways for NABU and Beyond

Understanding the role of the environment in healthy child development is crucial for NABU as we create leveled texts and educational materials.

• The Role of the Master Genome and Timing: Our genetic makeup, or the master human genome, provides the blueprint for who we are. However, timing and the environment play crucial roles in shaping how genes are expressed.

• Stories as a Tool for Growth: NABU’s culturally relevant, mother tongue stories are an early environmental input that shape children’s brains and their biology. Our stories, coupled with early engagement from teachers, parents, and caregivers, can influence a child's development, helping to activate positive genetic expression, thus leading to developmental gains.

Engage with Me

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic! Here’s how you can get involved:

• Schedule a Meeting: Put time in my calendar here to discuss any topics further 

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Join Us on This Journey

This exploration of topics in early childhood like nature versus nurture goes beyond the NABU team; it's for anyone with a deep interest in education, technology, and media. Whether you're a donor, educator, partner, or practitioner, there’s valuable insight here for you. Together, we can collaborate, learn, and make a lasting impact.

Thank you for being an integral part of this journey. I’m excited to continue this exploration with you.

Tanyella Allison Leta

Epigenetics Definition: the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself. (Oxford Language)

^{Note: The ideas presented here are my own, inspired by discussions and materials from my studies at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Any direct ideas are cited, and resources shared are in the public domain.}