question about left handed children

[tuesdaymom]

My dd 22 months is left handed (we think maybe to early) she uses her left all the time at home eating coloring drawing and so on. I started to notice 2 months ago when we are in a public place she uses her right hand anyone else see this with there child. The first time she did a 2 hour sitin for a daycare and I was watching her eat from the window and was in shock maybe I never notice. Do you think she notices everyone else useing there right hand? She nows her right from her left. Sometimes after five ten minutes she will switch to her left. My husband , father, brother and mother in law are left handed so chances are she most likely will be.

[physmom]

DD appears to be left-handed (she's two).  Ever since she first started reaching for toys she always preferred her left-hand.  She's recently started preschool and her teacher commented almost immediately on it because it was so obvious.  However, young kids are still to some extent ambidextrous and DD will still use her right-hand often.  I've heard this is fairly normal until about 5 or 6? 

FWIW, we're excited that she might be left-handed/left-footed since we're big soccer fans (and I played for years).  Although knowing DD she'll probably pick a sport like swimming where it doesn't matter as much!

[tuesdaymom]

Originally Posted by physmom 

DD appears to be left-handed (she's two).  Ever since she first started reaching for toys she always preferred her left-hand.  She's recently started preschool and her teacher commented almost immediately on it because it was so obvious.  However, young kids are still to some extent ambidextrous and DD will still use her right-hand often.  I've heard this is fairly normal until about 5 or 6? 

FWIW, we're excited that she might be left-handed/left-footed since we're big soccer fans (and I played for years).  Although knowing DD she'll probably pick a sport like swimming where it doesn't matter as much!

Thanks! I wasn't sure if she noticed being different from the people around her.  I also played soccer my whole family played me and my 2 sisters are righties and brother is left handed.  What does being lefty have to do with soccer?  I can use my left hand for a lot of things but only if my right is not free.

My mom would love for my dd to play soccer my three nephews are really not into sports.  We tried everythimg starting at age 4 soccer was the one all 4 of us played until High School.  I hope she enjoys some kind of sport I feel its important for some reason.  Maybe because I did
 

[Freeman]

I guess it's possible that your dd notices others using their right hand and tries to imitate this, but it doesn't seem likely at that age, IMHO. Maybe she's just experimenting to see which hand she is comfortable using in a particular situation.

 

Originally Posted by physmom 

FWIW, we're excited that she might be left-handed/left-footed since we're big soccer fans (and I played for years).  Although knowing DD she'll probably pick a sport like swimming where it doesn't matter as much!

My ds uses his left hand for writing and eating, and but he throws a ball with his right hand, kicks a ball with his right foot, and uses scissors with his right hand. IME, being left-handed for writing, eating, and playing with toys does not mean he/she will be left-handed for all aspects of sports.

[tuesdaymom]

Originally Posted by Freeman 

I guess it's possible that your dd notices others using their right hand and tries to imitate this, but it doesn't seem likely at that age, IMHO. Maybe she's just experimenting to see which hand she is comfortable using in a particular situation.

 

My ds uses his left hand for writing and eating, and but he throws a ball with his right hand, kicks a ball with his right foot, and uses scissors with his right hand. IME, being left-handed for writing, eating, and playing with toys does not mean he/she will be left-handed for all aspects of sports.

My husband is a big fisherman and he reals in with his right hand ( i'm pretty sure its realing in) I don't pay attention sometimes bad me :) My Dad and brother are lefties and they do this with there left hand.  I know my husband can do alot more with both than my father and brother.  It just caught me with my daughter at home she does everyhting with her left without even second guessing and when we are out she uses the right first and then I guess when she realizes it doesn't feel right she changes.   She throws with her left hand we were playing with the ball yesterday she can throw pretty good over hand.

[physmom]

Originally Posted by tuesdaymom 
 What does being lefty have to do with soccer?  

Being a lefty can help because most defenders are used to guarding against righties also the same goes for scoring.  Most goalies are used to defending against righties so they'd more naturally anticipate shots that could come from a righy.

Originally Posted by Freeman 

I guess it's possible that your dd notices others using their right hand and tries to imitate this, but it doesn't seem likely at that age, IMHO. Maybe she's just experimenting to see which hand she is comfortable using in a particular situation.

 

My ds uses his left hand for writing and eating, and but he throws a ball with his right hand, kicks a ball with his right foot, and uses scissors with his right hand. IME, being left-handed for writing, eating, and playing with toys does not mean he/she will be left-handed for all aspects of sports.

DD appears to be left-footed also.  I guess I forgot to mention that.

[Freeman]

Originally Posted by tuesdaymom 

It just caught me with my daughter at home she does everyhting with her left without even second guessing and when we are out she uses the right first and then I guess when she realizes it doesn't feel right she changes. 
 

If you're noticing it at daycare when she is sitting at a table w/ others, she may be using her right hand to avoid bumping the arm of the right-handed person sitting to her left!

[Arduinna]

As a leftie, I really only noticed other people using their right hands when I'm trying to learn something from them. Like when I learned to knit and crochet. I do some things ambidextrous but I eat left handed and while cooking I always stir and chop food with my left. I shoot and bowl ambi though. It's likely that at her age she is more in a modeling mindset so she is doing what she sees others do and will settle into her own pattern over time.

[tuesdaymom]

Originally Posted by physmom 

Being a lefty can help because most defenders are used to guarding against righties also the same goes for scoring.  Most goalies are used to defending against righties so they'd more naturally anticipate shots that could come from a righy.

DD appears to be left-footed also.  I guess I forgot to mention that.

That is so true. I played goalie sometimes. I thought it was boaring I use to get upset when they would change me.  I wanted to be running around like a nut :)

Originally Posted by Freeman 

If you're noticing it at daycare when she is sitting at a table w/ others, she may be using her right hand to avoid bumping the arm of the right-handed person sitting to her left!

 There wasn't anyone next to her.  It was a square table with 4 kids.  When I first met my husband this took awhile to get use to. 

Originally Posted by Arduinna 

As a leftie, I really only noticed other people using their right hands when I'm trying to learn something from them. Like when I learned to knit and crochet. I do some things ambidextrous but I eat left handed and while cooking I always stir and chop food with my left. I shoot and bowl ambi though. It's likely that at her age she is more in a modeling mindset so she is doing what she sees others do and will settle into her own pattern over time.

 I never realized how many lefties can use both.  I already feel like I can't show her writing letters and drawing things I don't feel like I'm on the right side for her if that makes sense.  Good thing my husband can draw and write very well.  She likes to draw smiley faces and wants you to make animals and funny faces.

[Arduinna]

I realized after I posted that the real reason that I shoot and bowl right handed is because I'm right eye dominant. I always struggled with shooting until I realized I was right eye dominant a few years ago, but I bowled on leagues as a kid and while I can bowl left, I am better with my right. But I didn't know I was right eye dominant then, so I always thought of myself as a leftie but with ambi tendencies. I was talking to dh after I posted and realized that my right eye dominance was why I also bowl right handed.

Glad I posted since I have better insight now as to my own handedness.

[ollyoxenfree]

DS switched back and forth for a fairly long time. He was in primary school before he settled on writing with his right hand, as well as doing most other things (scissors etc.) with his right. For a long time he tried to catch and throw left-handed (as well as bat left). Needless to say, baseball isn't his strong sport. He's always played hockey left-handed and his stick-handling is pretty good. If I could ever get him on a golf course, I suspect he would golf left as well. 

His grandfather (DH's father) was a leftie who was endured the old-fashioned "cures" (left hand tied down etc.). He was a semi-pro soccer player, so I wonder now if he was left-footed too. 

[Freeman]

Originally Posted by ollyoxenfree 

DS switched back and forth for a fairly long time. He was in primary school before he settled on writing with his right hand, as well as doing most other things (scissors etc.) with his right. For a long time he tried to catch and throw left-handed (as well as bat left). Needless to say, baseball isn't his strong sport. He's always played hockey left-handed and his stick-handling is pretty good. If I could ever get him on a golf course, I suspect he would golf left as well. 

I am really surprised that left-handed ds throws a ball with his right hand, since he is so left-hand dominant in most other areas. He also bats left-handed. I am also surprised that he uses scissors with his right hand. Maybe it has something to do with the awkwardness of the scissors.

[TiredX2]

I actually wouldn't be surprised if it *was* a social thing.  DS would become very left-handed dominant when we would visit his Poppa who is a lefty.  I thought it was adorable and it was definately in response to a specfiic person.

[whatsnextmom]

The majority of lefties are actually ambidextrious. At least that is what the research says. It's true for my DS and my mom. They both use their left for very fine motor skills but they kick, throw, use calculators, bat, ect any which way is most convienent or comfortable at the time. With DS, we finally had to just tell him to pick his favorite hand for writing because he was so behind in penmanship at school I believe partially because he was splitting his writing practice between two hands. He chose left for writing but outside that, he uses both sides pretty evenly.

Your DD might be left-handed but experiementing. She might be ambidextrious and since the spoon was on the right side of the bowl, that's what hand she used. She might truely be right-handed but for whatever reason, she started up with the left in her toddler years. She might have just discovered that it's a pain eating at a table with your left and banging into the elbow of the rightie next to you.

[oldcrunchymom]

My ds is 15 and has been left handed since birth, but he bats righty.  However, he has never, ever attempted to eat or write with his right hand except on a lark to laugh at how badly it comes out.  It's not a natural motion for him at all.

[tuesdaymom]

 D Originally Posted by TiredX2 

 

I actually wouldn't be surprised if it *was* a social thing.  DS would become very left-handed dominant when we would visit his Poppa who is a lefty.  I thought it was adorable and it was definately in response to a specfiic person.

 That is what my first thought was when I seen it.  She will be starting daycare in a month so maybe she will get use to it.  Right now my Dad is home with her and he is left handed.  She is very observant so she does pay attention to her surroundings more than I actually realize sometimes.   That is sweet with your DS. 

[KCMichigan]

At 2, she probably can use both comfortably. Most little kids are fairly 'switchable'. Often they will throw, kick, or draw with both hands. Most scissors, notebooks, etc are made for righties--- so often kids will use the hand that is easiest with certain writing tools.

Usually a hand for writing tends to become dominate around age 3-6. But a right handed kiddo can still be left- footed, eyed, etc.

My DH is a lefty for hockey & bowling (but is right handed for writing, golf, and other sports). His dad is a lefty and taught him hocky and bowling....so that is the likely reason. Although, he can write well with both hands.

A side note from personal research as a special education teacher: people with mixed dominance (hand, eye, foot) naturally (not taught that way) are more likely to have learning differences. Not all mixed dominance people have learning differences, but there is a common enough correlation that psychologists often do make note of hand, foot, eye, dominance when doing testing for learning and visual disabilities, but also more lefties tend to be in creative fields (artists, musicians, etc) and be men.

Interesting Lefty facts:

Fun Facts

• 80% of presidents in the last 30 years have been lefties. That's every single one except George W. Bush! (Indiana University)
• 1 in 4 Apollo astronauts were left-handed (250% more than the normal level) (Left-Handers Day)
• 4 of the 5 original designers of the Macintosh computer were left-handed (Left-Handers Day)
• Left-handed men who attended college are approximately 13% richer than their right-handed counterparts and 21% richer if they graduated (Pew Research Center)

Back to Top

The Basics

• Approximately 8-15% of the adult population is left-handed (Science Daily)
• More men are left-handed than females (Science Daily)
• Left-handedness is determined by the LRRTM1 gene (National Geographic)
• According to the Geschwind theory, elevated testosterone levels during pregnancy can lead to left-handedness (The New York Times)
• Lefties have a higher rate of neurological disorders like autism or Down's syndrome (National Academy of Sciences)

Source: http://www.guidetocareereducation.com/tips-and-tools/left-handed#ixzz1IaGHetta

[tuesdaymom]

Originally Posted by whatsnextmom 

The majority of lefties are actually ambidextrious. At least that is what the research says. It's true for my DS and my mom. They both use their left for very fine motor skills but they kick, throw, use calculators, bat, ect any which way is most convienent or comfortable at the time. With DS, we finally had to just tell him to pick his favorite hand for writing because he was so behind in penmanship at school I believe partially because he was splitting his writing practice between two hands. He chose left for writing but outside that, he uses both sides pretty evenly.

Your DD might be left-handed but experiementing. She might be ambidextrious and since the spoon was on the right side of the bowl, that's what hand she used. She might truely be right-handed but for whatever reason, she started up with the left in her toddler years. She might have just discovered that it's a pain eating at a table with your left and banging into the elbow of the rightie next to you.

Thanks
 

Originally Posted by KCMichigan 

At 2, she probably can use both comfortably. Most little kids are fairly 'switchable'. Often they will throw, kick, or draw with both hands. Most scissors, notebooks, etc are made for righties--- so often kids will use the hand that is easiest with certain writing tools.

Usually a hand for writing tends to become dominate around age 3-6. But a right handed kiddo can still be left- footed, eyed, etc.

My DH is a lefty for hockey & bowling (but is right handed for writing, golf, and other sports). His dad is a lefty and taught him hocky and bowling....so that is the likely reason. Although, he can write well with both hands.

A side note from personal research as a special education teacher: people with mixed dominance (hand, eye, foot) naturally (not taught that way) are more likely to have learning differences. Not all mixed dominance people have learning differences, but there is a common enough correlation that psychologists often do make note of hand, foot, eye, dominance when doing testing for learning and visual disabilities, but also more lefties tend to be in creative fields (artists, musicians, etc) and be men.

Interesting Lefty facts:

Fun Facts

• 80% of presidents in the last 30 years have been lefties. That's every single one except George W. Bush! (Indiana University)
• 1 in 4 Apollo astronauts were left-handed (250% more than the normal level) (Left-Handers Day)
• 4 of the 5 original designers of the Macintosh computer were left-handed (Left-Handers Day)
• Left-handed men who attended college are approximately 13% richer than their right-handed counterparts and 21% richer if they graduated (Pew Research Center)

Back to Top

The Basics

• Approximately 8-15% of the adult population is left-handed (Science Daily)
• More men are left-handed than females (Science Daily)
• Left-handedness is determined by the LRRTM1 gene (National Geographic)
• According to the Geschwind theory, elevated testosterone levels during pregnancy can lead to left-handedness (The New York Times)
• Lefties have a higher rate of neurological disorders like autism or Down's syndrome (National Academy of Sciences)

Source: http://www.guidetocareereducation.com/tips-and-tools/left-handed#ixzz1IaGHetta

Thanks for this info and link very interesting.

 

[MommyKlein]

Im left handed and I have 3 children that are left handed as well.  I noticed the other day that my son still switches to his right hand every once in a while and he is 9.  When he first started school I never mentioned it to his teacher that he was left handed.  I figured that she would see for herself what hand he used.  Finally one day she told me that she was trying to get him to use his right hand and he wouldnt.  The teacher thought he was doing it just to be naughty.  Thats when I told her that he is left handed.  I never really thought of it as being that big of a deal.  She just assumed that all kids are right handed. 

[carmel23]

My understanding is that most children do switch back and forth, and handedness isn't really solidified until they write. 

Interestingly both my husband and I are left handed, and s far the 3 of children who write are all right handed.  If socialization had anything to do with it, you'd think they would be left handed. But nope. 

I can draw with my right hand, bat right handed, but everything else is left dominant.