Heredity and Environment Review

Target Language or Knowledge:

Heredity and environment influence the growth and development of all people. Heredity is the biological transfer of traits or qualities from earlier generations. Blood type, eye color and hair color are some of the traits determined by heredity. Environment is the term for the people, places and things that surround and influence a person, including family, home, school and community. Heredity is often called nature. For example, if someone says, “Dylan is musically talented – it’s his nature,” they mean that he was born with this gift. The word nurture is used for influences and conditions in a child’s environment. Dylan may also play the piano well because his parents make him practice each day. Scientists debate whether nature or nurture has more influence. Most people agree that nature and nurture work together. Children also learn attitudes and beliefs from their environment. If someone’s parents are very kind to others, then probably the children will also help be kind. Children are greatly influenced by the world around them. The music they listen to and the type of community they grow up in all play a part in who they become. If you spend time around children, then you are also one of their influences!

development biological traits surround nature nurture attitudes influences