At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

DS seems to be favoring his left hand but not sure if that really means anything. DH is not thrilled since we are both right handed but I don't really think it makes a big deal which hand he uses. DH is concerned that we would have a hard time helping him with tasks like writing.

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

DD # 1 favored the left hand for the longest. I really thought she'd be lefty. In preschool (around 3 or 4) she started using her right. She's a righty.

In fact, I think it is common that they start off favoring the left. I am goign to bring it up to the ped next time. Godd question.

Message edited 1/31/2008 1:43:35 PM.

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

it dependss on the child, for some kids, not till they are in kindergarten

Message edited 1/31/2008 1:49:42 PM.

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

Thanks so much for your response Carolyn Seems like it's too early to tell but you are right...I am going to bring it up at the next appt too.

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

I believe you can't tell until they are 2 or so. Thomas uses his left hand a lot too. But then sometimes he uses his right. I did read that you shouldn't try to force right-handedness on them. You can offer them something to their right hand, but if he grabs for it with his left, just let it be.

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

My son uses both hands for everything (playing ball, eating, drawing, etc.). The ped believes he'll be ambidextrous like his daddy.

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

I believe its not determined until they are 3-4 years old. I teach Pre-K & the beginning of the year some children were still using both hands or using one hand & now in Jan. they are using the other.

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

I am a lefty and my mom says it was apparent very early. I will ask her how early. She decided not to encourage either hand preference and to truly let me figure it out. I think that is so important. Teaching writing is tough. My handwriting is very sloppy but usually legible. I remember an older left handed kid from my block teaching me to tie my shoes. I got the knack of it right away and maybe it helped that I was learning from another child.

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

Until about 3 they go back and forth..then they start showing a preference to one hand.

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

Hmm...I'm curious to know the answer too. Both DH and I are right handed and DD favors her left hand. She is 10 months.

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

Marron is 21 months and for a long time she really favored her left hand. Now she is starting to use the right hand more. When I give her a spoon or fork, I try to put it in the middle of the plate and let her choose which hand to pick it up with rather than handing it into one hand or the other. I do this because I started realizing that since I am right handed, as I was giving something to her, I was "handing" it into her left hand, and I don't want her to feel like she has to use that hand.

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

My pediatrician said that by age 4, children start to show a handd preference

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

Not until they regularly start coloring or eating with utensils - so anywhere from 2-3 yrs...

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

Anthony favored his left hand at Lucas' age also. He eventually started to use his right hand more often and now at almost 17 months, he still uses both.

Re: At what age do they start to show a hand preference?

I couldn't tell with Jordan until he got to Pre-K.. he used both hands all the time.. Mallory is already favoring her right hand and she is 3