Influence of Heredity and Environment on Child Development
Introduction:
Heredity and Environment-
Heredity and Environment are important parameter that influence the developmental process of a child. Both the heredity and environment act as a supreme factor on the development of mental abilities, personality development, Socialization process etc. Heredity is the trait that a children gains from his/her parents. On the other hand, environment is the surroundings of an organism. Both the heredity and environment have a significant impact on the learning process. Child Development and Pedagogy section questions are asked on the topic of “Influence of Heredity and Environment on Child Development” in Central TET, Assam TET or other TET cum Recruitment tests.
Key Points on Heredity and Environment:
– Heredity is the transmission of genetic traits or characteristics from parents to offspring.
– It includes looks, intelligence, cognitive abilities, behavioral patterns etc.
– Characteristics or traits are transferred through DNA or genes from one generation to another generation.
– The environment is the overall atmosphere around us. It influences the development of a child.
– Environment may be two types like physical environment and social environment
Heredity and it’s Effect on Child Development:
– On Physical Characteristics: Heredity influences the physical characteristics of a child. Characteristics are transmitted from the parents to children through the genes or DNA. For example, if parents have good health and height or physique then the offspring of such parents will be healthy and good looking.
– On Intelligence: The intelligence also transferred from the parents to the child though the gene. If the IQ of a parent is high then the IQ of the child will also be high.
– On Character: A child also obtains the characters from the parents. The moral development is also inherited from parents. According to Dugwell, a person’s character influences the character of his child.
Role of Environment on Child’s Development:
The word Environment is derived from the French word ‘Environia’ meaning ‘to surround’. Various environmental factors influence the learning and development of a child.
According to Nastase, “Environment is the factor which affects a human being besides his life.”
The physical environment around children is the family, peer groups, school, society etc. The mental environment refers to the mentality of parents or other family members that the child observes everyday.
Both the physical and mental environment influence the developmental process of the children.
MCQs on Heredity and Environment:
1. Which one of the following doesn’t influence the development of a child?
A. Heredity
B. Environment
C. Nutrition
D. None of the above
Ans: D. None of the above
2. An intelligent father has an intelligent child due to
A. Nurture
B. Nutrition
C. Environment
D. Heredity
Ans: D. Heredity
3. The physical characteristics of a child is influenced by
A. Father’s DNA
B. Mother’s DNA
C. Both Father’s and Mother’s DNA
D. Environment
Ans: C. Both Father’s and Mother’s DNA
4. The characteristics are carried out by the
A. Genes
B. Mitochondria
C. Golgi bodies
D. Blood
Ans: A. Genes
5. Which of the following is an environmental factor?
A. Blood
B. Cell
C. Nutrition
D. Family
Ans: D. Family
6. The IQ of a father and mother is high. The probable IQ of their child will be?
A. Low
B. High
C. Average
D. Can’t predict
Ans: B. High