What is the thinking on left-handed scissors for children these days?

[Anonymous]

We got our lefty left handed scissors. I guess he uses right handed scissors at school since they share supplies, but at home we have lefties for him.

[Anonymous]

My kid is ambidextrous (which sounds like OP's DD may be as well). Specializing in one hand or the other is better than always using both equally, but specializing doesn't necessarily have to always be right or always left. OP's DC could write left-handed and use scissors right-handed.

[Anonymous]

My grandfather and dad were punished as children for being lefties so my dad also made an effort to get lefty desks and scissors for my lefty sister. It made a huge difference when she learned to write. Being left handed is kind of analogous to a disability and so it seems fair and reasonable to accommodate it.

Fascinating history of bias against lefties: https://www.historyextra.com/period/a-history-of-left-handed-writing/

[Anonymous]

Where does one find left handed scissors? I've looked for my lefty (and possibly my ambidextrous one who leans left for writing) and not found them.

[Anonymous]

Handedness isn't that clear cut.

I write left handed, but have always cut with my right hand—using scissors or a knife. I eat European style—fork in my left hand, knife in my right. I also bat, golf, etc. right handed. I remember my preschool teacher trying to get me to use the left handled scissors and I just couldn’t.

So I would make both options available and see what your child chooses.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, all. This is the OP and I realize how old-school it sounds to say something like "ADAPT TO the real world, kid, I had to!" so I appreciate the responses.

I like the idea that if she uses left-handed scissors now she can always learn right-handed in the future, and that making them both available gives her options.I also acknowledge that given her OT and sensory issues it makes sense to not stress her out more than she needs to be.

If anyone has ideas of specific links for scissors, those are welcome (Amazon?).

Thanks

PS- to the teacher- I use scissors all the time in my work- not in training but a related field.

[Anonymous]

I'm a lefty and can use righty scissors with my right hand and lefty scissors with my left hand.

Growing up the scissors in my bedroom were lefty ones, and the kitchen scissors were righty ones. I had no preference.

[Anonymous]

My lefty kid has always refused to use lefty scissors. I think cutting is about the only thing he does with his right hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in my late 40s and always had left handed scissors. Every classroom I remember had one or two of the green handled scissors for us lefties.
I can certainly use regular scissors now as an adult, but when I could find left handed scissors as a kid it made my life sooooo much easier.
I can't imagine why you'd force a kid who is already struggling to use a tool that isn't designed for her.

This.

Get the scissors for her now. She can take them to school to use when needing to cut something if school doesn't supply them. When she is an adult she will have learned to manage her many sensory issues, but now, when she's struggling with so much, why keep the one tool that might make her life easier from her?

You get a booster seat for little kids, right? When they are tall enough they sit in a chair without one, right? So left handed scissors are like that for her now.

And, for another poster: a child who is struggling with sensory and other issues shouldn't also have to learn to cut right handed. She has enough on her plate.

[Anonymous]

Im left handed but use my right hand to cut. Why make it harder?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Handedness isn't that clear cut.

I write left handed, but have always cut with my right hand—using scissors or a knife. I eat European style—fork in my left hand, knife in my right. I also bat, golf, etc. right handed. I remember my preschool teacher trying to get me to use the left handled scissors and I just couldn’t.

So I would make both options available and see what your child chooses.

I am in your situation: I write with my left hand, but do everything else with my right (except hold a knife or spoon). I don’t think it’s as easy as saying that it’s not that clear cut. I think it varies from person to person. Some people are extremely right- or left-hand dominant, and others, like you and me, can be more flexible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is ambidextrous (which sounds like OP's DD may be as well). Specializing in one hand or the other is better than always using both equally, but specializing doesn't necessarily have to always be right or always left. OP's DC could write left-handed and use scissors right-handed.

This. Many lefties (me included) are ambidextrous. I agree with pp about specializing. I cannot use left handed scissors, but I have no problem using my right hand for using scissors, knives, throwing things, etc. Buy the scissors and see if she prefers left or right handed ones. I can do most things with either hand, but I have preferences based on ease and outcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What hand does she use now to cut?

I’m another left-hander who learned to cut right-handed.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Handedness isn't that clear cut.

I write left handed, but have always cut with my right hand—using scissors or a knife. I eat European style—fork in my left hand, knife in my right. I also bat, golf, etc. right handed. I remember my preschool teacher trying to get me to use the left handled scissors and I just couldn’t.

So I would make both options available and see what your child chooses.

I am in your situation: I write with my left hand, but do everything else with my right (except hold a knife or spoon). I don’t think it’s as easy as saying that it’s not that clear cut. I think it varies from person to person. Some people are extremely right- or left-hand dominant, and others, like you and me, can be more flexible.

I’m the 40-something lefty that posted above, and Inthink this is right.
DS is a lefty but can do lots of things with his right hand and actually plays baseball as a righty.
But I am really exclusively left handed. My right hand is basically a useless appendage along for the ride.

Op doesn’t really have any way of knowing where her daughter falls, so it’s worth buying a pair.

Looks like there are plenty of options on amazon if nothing else

[Anonymous]

As a kid, i could only use the lefty scissors. As an adult, I can use either. Once she is confident with the left hand you can try to introduce the right hand.
Can openers were the worst for me!