When did you learn your child's "handedness"?

[Anonymous]

DD is eight months and is showing a preference for holding herself up by her right hand and "patting" whatever is in front of her, or when she's exploring or stressed, with her left hand.

FWIW I am a mirror twin -- I'm right, identical is left handed, so I don't care what hand is used.

Please share your experiences with a new mom!

[Anonymous]

Before DD turned two we knew she was a lefty. She always held her pencil in her left hand and would eventually switch it if I placed it in her right. BTW she started her early attempts at writing before age two, so that's why we knew so early.

[Anonymous]

I think it's not finalized until about 2 or so. For a long time DD ate only with her left hand, but played with many toys with her right hand. Now at 2.5 she consistently uses her right hand for everything.

[Anonymous]

I think I read that at that age, they may show a preference for a while and then switch to the other side. And then back again.

[Anonymous]

I still can't figure it out at almost 4. My son can't write well at all. But he chooses his right hand for that. He's in a little informal piano class as well, though, and he prefers his left hand. Fine motor skills are not his strongest point, though. Perhaps when they get more refined I'll have a clue.

[Anonymous]

They tend to switch back and forth at that age. It doesn't typically be come clear until around 2 or 3, or even closer to 4 years old.

[Anonymous]

Handedness is not typically cemented until around the age of 4. The most important thing to remember is not to force the use of one hand over the other.

[Anonymous]

My DD was about 5 when it was finalized, but she has motor issues.

[Anonymous]

At 4, it's become clear that DS is lefty. Before now, we couldn't tell.

[Anonymous]

At around 8 months ds also showed a clear preference for right hand but I was told they should not be favoring one hand so early. Ped actually suggested encouraging eating and playing with the left hand more often (put food closer to left, hold back the right) to make sure both sides of the body worked equally and were equally strong.

[Anonymous]

3.5

[Anonymous]

Mine's three years and change, and still switching. She can draw her creepy little stick figures equally well with either hand, but she tends to eat with her left.

[Anonymous]

When as a tiny baby, he grabbed for things with his left hand, tried to eat with his left hand, threw things with his left hand, etc.

[Anonymous]

Handedness is not generally developed until 3 yo, and as an OT, I don't become concerned if there is not a clear dominance until 5ish, depending on the kid. Most kids will go back and forth, favoring one hand over another at 8 mo. If you see a sustained pattern of "dominance" at this age, (lasting more than a few weeks), it would be something to bring up with your pediatrician. Above suggestions of presenting food/toys on the "non-dominant" side are excellent. Does your DD reach across her body?

[Anonymous]

My DD is 3Y 2mo old and we still aren't sure. Her father is a lefty. Her grandfather on her mum's side is ambidextrous (probably was a true left who had it 'beat out of him' so to speak by old-fashioned schoolies). She seems to prefer her left, though.