International Lefthanders Day is 13 August and we’re here to celebrate all the lefties in our community! Here we breakdown what our Medshield Moms need to look out for if their child may be left-handed and also how to support their child’s handedness.
Hand dominance, or handedness, is the preference most people show for using one hand over the other to perform tasks. Determining your child’s hand preference can help you support their development and adapt their environment to meet their needs.
Understanding Handedness
Handedness is a complex trait influenced by genetics, brain function and environmental factors. While genetics play a significant role, the exact mechanisms are not fully understood. Most children show a clear hand preference by the age of four, but some may take longer to develop consistent hand dominance.
Approximately 10% of the world’s population is left-handed. This statistic has remained relatively consistent across various cultures and historical periods. True ambidexterity, where an individual has equal proficiency and comfort using both hands for all tasks, is extremely rare. It is estimated that less than 1% of the population is truly ambidextrous. Most people who consider themselves ambidextrous still have a dominant hand for certain tasks, even if they are relatively skilled with both hands.
Being left-handed is perfectly normal and comes with its own set of unique advantages. By understanding and supporting your child’s handedness, you can help them thrive in a world designed for right-handed people. Identifying whether your child is left-handed can take some observation and patience.
Here are some key signs to look out for in your child:
1. Eating
Observe which hand your child uses to hold utensils. Left-handed children will consistently use their left hand.
2. Drawing and Writing
Notice which hand your child prefers when colouring, drawing or writing. Left-handed children will naturally pick up crayons or pencils with their left hand.
3. Throwing and Catching
Pay attention to which hand your child uses to throw a ball or catch objects.
4. Dominant Hand in New Tasks
When learning new tasks, left-handed children will instinctively use their left hand. This can include buttoning clothes, brushing their teeth or using scissors.
5. Preference in Spontaneous Activities
In unstructured play, left-handed children will frequently use their left hand for tasks like stacking blocks, picking up toys or manipulating objects.
How to help your left-handed child thrive:
- Provide Left-Handed Tools
Get left-handed scissors with reversed blades, ergonomically designed writing instruments and materials like binders and notebooks with spirals on the top or right hand side. - Adjust the Learning Environment
Position your child’s desk to allow ample space on the left side, reducing elbow clashes with right-handed peers and ensure any lighting comes from the right side. - Teaching Techniques
Teach your child to hold the pen or pencil correctly, with their hand below the writing line to avoid smudging. Encourage good posture with a straight back and the paper positioned correctly to facilitate a comfortable writing experience.Practice letter formation with your child, emphasising starting points and stroke directions that work well for left-handers. - Hobby Adaptions
Look out for left-handed sports equipment, gloves, tools and instruments. - Patience & Positivity
Left-handed children may take a little longer to master tasks and need positive encouragement and support.
By providing the right tools, techniques and encouragement, you can help your left-handed child thrive. Understanding and supporting their unique needs will enable them to develop their skills comfortably and confidently, ensuring they can excel in all aspects of life. If you have any concerns or questions, speak to your paediatrician.