The American Psychological Association recently chose a task force to examine genetic versus environmental influences on intelligence. The group’s report acknowledged the important roles played by both genes and environment (which includes a child’s health and nutrition, as well as family upbringing).
Even if genes play a dominant role, that leaves plenty of room for parents to influence the outcome. Indeed, a growing amount of research show that, especially in the early years of life when the brain is still talking shape, parental attention - - even such a simple activity as playing peekaboo – helps construct the complex brain circuitry essential to intellectual development