Growing up in a noisy world: how the environment shapes children's brains

How often do children and parents hear the phrase "The child isn't living up to their potential" or "You have the potential to achieve more"? What does that actually mean? A baby inherits genetic material from their parents that provides an initial set of predispositions and abilities. But a child's true potential develops over time through the constant interaction between genetics and the environment in which they grow up: the stimulation they receive, their relationship with their parents, their education and the opportunities that come their way. In other words, a child's "potential" is not fixed at birth but is a dynamic product that continues to take shape throughout childhood. Are there cases where children fail to reach their potential? As a brain development researcher, I have devoted considerable attention to this question, particularly in relation to the acquisition of reading skills and the development of reading difficulties.