Final answer:
The theoretical perspective that most emphasizes genetic and maturational contributions to children's development is the maturation theory, which suggests that development follows a biological blueprint and is largely independent of environmental influences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theoretical perspective that most emphasizes genetic and maturational contributions to children's development is the theory of maturation. Pioneered by Arnold Gesell, the maturation perspective highlights the biological underpinnings of development, suggesting that growth and change are the results of a genetic blueprint. This perspective falls within the broader nature side of the nature versus nurture debate, positing that an individual's development is pre-determined by genetic factors and unfolds according to a natural sequence of developmental milestones, largely independent of environmental influences.
Maturation theories assume that development is a continuous process influenced by an intrinsic timetable that is set by our biological systems. Arnold Gesell and his colleagues observed that children's developmental patterns unfolded in predictable sequences across various domains such as physical, cognitive, and emotional development, which were consistent with their genetic inheritance. Gesell's work has been instrumental in understanding the role of biological factors in child development, and it paved the way for future research on the genetic and biological influences on growth.