Factors Shaping Cognitive Development Padlet 1 by Verlaine Thomas

Genetics

verlainethomas4 — 2025-09-21 15:33:33 UTC

Genetics shapes individual differences in early cognitive skills. Heritability estimates for cognitive traits are substantial but not deterministic. Genes interact with environments to produce outcomes.

Case Example:

Twin study example: identical twins reared apart still show high cognitive similarity illustrating genetic contribution. Differences in schooling and home environment explain remaining variation.

Reference

Plomin, R. (2018). The new genetics of intelligence. Nature Reviews Genetics, 19, 148–159.

Environment

verlainethomas4 — 2025-09-21 15:42:10 UTC

Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model: child development is influenced by nested environments. These include microsystem (family, classroom), mesosystem (connections between home and school), exosystem (parent workplace), macrosystem (culture, policy), and chronosystem (time, historical events). Interventions can target multiple levels.

Caregiver responsivity & language input: quantity and quality of caregiver speech predict language and later literacy skills.
Socioeconomic factors & resources: access to books, preschool, nutrition, and safe play spaces affects cognitive trajectories.
References
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development. Harvard University Press.

Experiences

verlainethomas4 — 2025-09-21 15:47:18 UTC

Active experiences such as exploratory play, pretend play, guided problem solving, and scaffolded social interactions promote executive function, symbolic thinking, and language.
Piaget’s stages (sensorimotor → preoperational → concrete operational) highlight how experience drives stagewise cognitive gains.
Interventions tied to experiences:
Shared book reading with dialogic prompts (improves vocabulary).
Play-based math activities (supports number sense).

References
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development. Harvard University Press.