Imprinting, imitation, synaptic change, and brain growth through enrichment all illustrate the importance of interplay between nature and nurture. Imprinting is defined as the rapid and innate learning of the characteristics of the caregiver within a short time after birth. Ethology is the scientific study of this type of animal behavior. Korand Lorenz is probably the best known researcher in this area through his work with ducklings and goslings. For a video clip showing Lorenz with the goslings in his experiment, click here.
Through studies on imprinting, we see the importance of sensitivity periods of learning in which animals exposed to a particular stimulus or situation will learn it very rapidly. Once the animal has moved beyond that period, it becomes harder. These sensitivity periods illustrate that the mind is not a blank slate but is structured so that certain experiences are more easily learned at certain stages. This allows toddlers and young children to learn language with a vocabulary of up to 10,000 words by the time they enter kindergarten. Perhaps this also illustrates why it is so much easier for a small child to learn a second language than an adult.
As we grow, the synaptic connections between neurons grow and change as we learn. So, not only does "practice make perfect", but "if you don't use it, you will lose it."
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