At what age can a parent determine his/her child's hand preference?

Question

I ask because I have a 5 month old, and she is showing signs of being left-handed. I have not said a word to this to anyone, and it seems I have a number of people who tell me that she will be. I made the comment that I thought it was too early to make this determination since my googling this topic shows children use both up until around 18 months. A couple actually told me that because of one specific thing she did, it told them that she would - one of these people is a nurse. I don't want to say what it is... I want to see if anyone states it.

It doesn't matter to me or her Father if she is a lefty or a right. I do believe being a righty will be easier throughout life (using tools etc in school) but in today's world, I think she would be fine.

Can anyone share on this topic? Thanks.

Answer 1

Usually it's hard to tell before the child is 2 which of their hands they will use predominately... sometimes you can't tell until they begin honing their fine motor skills (coloring, utensils, etc.) which one they'll favor. Either way, DON'T try to force her to use one hand over the other. Whether she looks like a lefty and you try to turn her into a righty, or vice-versa (I know a girl who forced her son to use his left hand when he preferred his right, so he would have an edge in the future playing sports... talk about the stupid things some people do...) it's important to let them use their dominant hand, whichever hand that may be.

Answer 2

my daughter 4, is right handed  but my son 2, uses his left alot. my husband and i are both left handed and so is his older daughter. I have NO PROBLEM using "right handed" stuff in life. like scissors, in fact, i prefer them. I adapted to my surroundings and so will your daughter if she is a leftie.

Why do people act as if left handed people are going to be shunned or something. We are the only ones in our right minds. Think About It.

Answer 3

well... which hand is used when she grabs for something or which hand does she seem to move more often... at 5 mo. it is hard too tell...

Answer 4

My oldest who is now two used his left hand more then his right hand for the longest time.  He ate with his left hand, grabbed toys with his left hand.  If we would hand him something he would reach with his left hand.  However, he is right handed.  My husband encouraged him to use his right hand for the same reasons you have stated.  He is now almost three.  He does draw with his left hand occasionally.  Maybe once every two to three months.  He also batted left handed for a while too.  (batting baseball).  However now he bats right handed.  Not sure if he was supposed to be left handed or not.  He is a righty now though.  Hope this helps!

Answer 5

when my lil sister was young she ate with her left hand and stuff like that but she is now 4 and she is right handed. u wont kno till she is one or two. thats when we figured it out. we gave her crayons she used both hands. sometimes her right and sometimes her left.

Answer 6

When I was little, I always used my right hand. Always. My younger sister was probably 1 or 2 when she started showing signs of being left-handed. My other sister is 4 and we still can't tell what she is going to be. It just depends on the kid. It doesn't really matter. She could go back and forth before she decides she likes one hand better.

Answer 7

When they eat, see which hand they use. Or get her something to draw with and see what she draws with.. but yea you have to wait till they're at least 12 months old, because when they are young they can't feed them self.

Answer 8

I have worked in several day care centers and I have worked with LOTS of kids ages 0-6.  It seems that almost all children use both hands well until they start writing a lot (around age 4-5).  My 4 1/2 year old can still use both hands well, but seems to be starting to prefer his right hand.  My 2 1/2 year old daughter doesn't seem to have a preference yet.  Working in Day cares we were encouraged to help kids use both hands as long as possible so they will develop coordination in both hands.