Most parents are curious to see which hand their child favors at an early age.Some children demonstrate a clear choice from very early on and some don’t.
When a child doesn’t clearly pick a hand by the time they are in preschool parents are typically worried that something is wrong.
As with all motor development there are checkpoints along the way to make sure your child is hitting all of their milestones.
The same rings true for choosing a hand.
Here are the mile markers for you to reference to see if your child is on the right path:
- 3-4 years: Hand preference established
- 5 years: most right hander’s are established
- 5-8 years: Most left hander’s (10-15% population) are established
- 8-9 years. Majority of left and right hander’s have established a hand dominance
The first is hand preference. This means that a child prefers one hand over the other 60% of the time.
It can be extremely difficult to see the difference in the choice of hand with a 60/40 split. Usually parents will say that their child uses both of their hands equally.
The second term is hand dominance. This means that a child uses that hand 90% over the other. This is very clear for parents to see.
You may have also noted from above that it is possible for some “lefties” not to clearly demonstrate that dominance until as late at 8 years old!
Well, guess what? Most children have some sort of writing tool in their hands in Pre-K and certainly by the time they enter Kindergarten.
If a “lefty” is still in the hand preference stage at this time a hand is usually chosen for them by their teacher or parents and it is typically the right hand.
Megan's Moral: Parents, don't freak out if your child hasn't developed and hand dominance in Pre-K. Carefully observe your child with the milestones in mind.
Be sure to check back later in the week for tips to help identify handedness and what you can do as a parent to help foster the development your child's hand dominance.
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