ABSTRACT
Research has found that parents and other caregivers in the home are essential in developing early skills, habits, and attitudes. Referred to as the “cradle of eminence”, the home environment and parents were foundational at every stage of talent development for eminent individuals. Based on the Productive Giftedness Model (PGM), individual, instructional, and environmental factors all influence “productive giftedness” (e.g., achievements, accomplishments, leadership, eminence). While the model advocates support across multiple factors, this chapter focuses on the role of parents and home environments as they are considered one of the most significant factors in learning and talent development. From in-depth biographical case studies, notable individuals were systematically studied across artistic and scientific talent domains. While the level of parental involvement differed in eminent lives, the study found that parental support was critical in the early years. Key implications discuss the importance of home factors and parental involvement in developing talent for aspiring artists and scientists.
