All About Handwriting
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buds:
Buds & Mamma Mia, I observed that my 2yr old boy tends to use his left hand to eat and handle writing/art materials. It's 80% left and 20% right...I try to change him but he will get angry. His teacher noticed it too and we had a discussion.
Left-Handed Children
A minor percentage of children are left-handed. Of this group, some are
ambidextrous, that is... they can use both hands. In the past, all children
even those who were strongly left-handed, were trained to use their right
hand for writing. In some cases, this is thought to have caused
stammering. It is now understood that children should be allowed to
choose which hand is best for them. If however, they can use both... it
is sensible to choose one dominant hand and stick to it. Otherwise, it can
get confusing.
My questions are:
- when do parents intervene since the kids are still exploring? I think it's great to utilise both hands but when is the age that they 'settle' into a dominant hand?
- I do feel that right-handed is more convenient (in lecture halls i.e. the chairs with the folding table, NS for guys i.e. using guns and in certain sports i.e. golf). As well as what buds said abt the pushing vs pulling strokes, i think 'right' is preferred.
- Will artificial intervention result in any undesirable consequences?
I think perhaps this gene is fr me as I started to write with my left hand but my dad forced me (beat, cry etc) to switch to right. I am still dominantly right-handed but I can still use chopsticks with my left and more sensitive in handling some things too.
I'm not sure how insistent I should be in this matter? Appreciate your advice. -
sorri OT !!
Surfermom! Good to read you in the forum. Long hiatus huh ...
Hope to see you ard more often!!!
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surfermom:
sufermom, I don't profess to be an expert in this field but have had experience with DD1 and therefore would share from my limited exposure to this...usually the kids settle into a dominant hand by 5 years old. Some don't though and remain ambidextruous till adulthood.
- when do parents intervene since the kids are still exploring? I think it's great to utilise both hands but when is the age that they 'settle' into a dominant hand?surfermom:
Yes, this world is made primarily for the convenience of right handed's coz the left-ies typically died in battle (holding the spear with their left hands, and the shield with their right which left their hearts exposed) so by that extension, the gene pool, not many left!- I do feel that right-handed is more convenient (in lecture halls i.e. the chairs with the folding table, NS for guys i.e. using guns and in certain sports i.e. golf). As well as what buds said abt the pushing vs pulling strokes, i think 'right' is preferred.
- Will artificial intervention result in any undesirable consequences?
I think perhaps this gene is fr me as I started to write with my left hand but my dad forced me (beat, cry etc) to switch to right. I am still dominantly right-handed but I can still use chopsticks with my left and more sensitive in handling some things too.
Besides genes (from you), it could also be he's sitting opposite you whilst going through these 'exercises\". I noticed that DD1 was mirroring me with some of these actions - although her ticks are clearly lefthanded (MIL is lefthanded and my left is my stronger hand - gross motor).
We didn't try and change her but she naturally switched to right dominance otherwise, although she still enjoys writing with her left when she's bored or tired. :love: She's happy the way she is and her finemotor skills development is generally on track whichever hand she uses, so enjoy him! That's the fun of our children growing up different to us. :celebrate: -
Andaiz, is your daughter ambidextrous? You can check her hair whorls. If she’s got a few running in various directions, then chances are, it’s her genetic disposition.
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Andaiz:
sorri, KPO again.
sufermom, I don't profess to be an expert in this field but have had experience with DD1 and therefore would share from my limited exposure to this...usually the kids settle into a dominant hand by 5 years old. Some don't though and remain ambidextruous till adulthood.surfermom:
- when do parents intervene since the kids are still exploring? I think it's great to utilise both hands but when is the age that they 'settle' into a dominant hand?surfermom:
Yes, this world is made primarily for the convenience of right handed's coz the left-ies typically died in battle (holding the spear with their left hands, and the shield with their right which left their hearts exposed) so by that extension, the gene pool, not many left!- I do feel that right-handed is more convenient (in lecture halls i.e. the chairs with the folding table, NS for guys i.e. using guns and in certain sports i.e. golf). As well as what buds said abt the pushing vs pulling strokes, i think 'right' is preferred.
- Will artificial intervention result in any undesirable consequences?
I think perhaps this gene is fr me as I started to write with my left hand but my dad forced me (beat, cry etc) to switch to right. I am still dominantly right-handed but I can still use chopsticks with my left and more sensitive in handling some things too.
Besides genes (from you), it could also be he's sitting opposite you whilst going through these 'exercises\". I noticed that DD1 was mirroring me with some of these actions - although her ticks are clearly lefthanded (MIL is lefthanded and my left is my stronger hand - gross motor).
We didn't try and change her but she naturally switched to right dominance otherwise, although she still enjoys writing with her left when she's bored or tired. :love: She's happy the way she is and her finemotor skills development is generally on track whichever hand she uses, so enjoy him! That's the fun of our children growing up different to us. :celebrate:
Andaiz, your observation is interesting. Maybe because I am quite bo chap abt these things as for me, as long as he is developing well in his age wrt to the milestones, I am ok. My DS also uses either hand when drawing, holding paintbrush etc... Think I shd also observe closely if there is any specific reason why. DH and I and ILs have decided to let him be for the time being and not force him to switch to right hand. He's still v young, 2 and a half lah. And I do agree that as long as fine motor skills are developing well and as long as he's not uncomfortable, shd just 'enjoy him'.
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hi
I like to seek some advice. My son is now 3 years 3mths. Up to now, I am still not very sure if he is a left-hander or a right-hander.
He do holds the pencil with his left hand most of the time. But I am afraid I might be the one who ‘influence’ him coz there are a few times I put the pencil in his left hand and make him practise to write. I unconsciously did this because I am a left-hander myself. My husband has asked him to use his right hand to write yesterday and he just simply switch to his right hand.
I am concerned as I want him to use his dormant hand and not because of what we ask him. He is required to write letters in his nursery class and is given worksheets to complete at home every friday. So what should I do? how to teach teach him to write? using both hands? I am afraid it might be time consuming for him to learn writing using both hands.
Plus he is now struggling to write his letters -
hi bluebell,
I had pm u. -
The way we hold our pen can affect the handwritting. I have seen many patterns of holding pen and it can be quite tiring for the hand. Anyone of your kids hold the pen very tight and write very hard, till got blister on the finger ?
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Andaiz:
Thanks Andaiz for yr enlightening advice. Esp funny is the part abt lefties' genes wiped off in ancient battles. Classic! Now I'm more conscious and yes, it's good to utilise both, let them explore. No I don't do mirroring so no issue on that. It's nice that yr child is ambidextrous, very convenient.
sufermom, I don't profess to be an expert in this field but have had experience with DD1 and therefore would share from my limited exposure to this...usually the kids settle into a dominant hand by 5 years old. Some don't though and remain ambidextruous till adulthood.surfermom:
- when do parents intervene since the kids are still exploring? I think it's great to utilise both hands but when is the age that they 'settle' into a dominant hand?surfermom:
Yes, this world is made primarily for the convenience of right handed's coz the left-ies typically died in battle (holding the spear with their left hands, and the shield with their right which left their hearts exposed) so by that extension, the gene pool, not many left!- I do feel that right-handed is more convenient (in lecture halls i.e. the chairs with the folding table, NS for guys i.e. using guns and in certain sports i.e. golf). As well as what buds said abt the pushing vs pulling strokes, i think 'right' is preferred.
- Will artificial intervention result in any undesirable consequences?
I think perhaps this gene is fr me as I started to write with my left hand but my dad forced me (beat, cry etc) to switch to right. I am still dominantly right-handed but I can still use chopsticks with my left and more sensitive in handling some things too.
Besides genes (from you), it could also be he's sitting opposite you whilst going through these 'exercises\". I noticed that DD1 was mirroring me with some of these actions - although her ticks are clearly lefthanded (MIL is lefthanded and my left is my stronger hand - gross motor).
We didn't try and change her but she naturally switched to right dominance otherwise, although she still enjoys writing with her left when she's bored or tired. :love: She's happy the way she is and her finemotor skills development is generally on track whichever hand she uses, so enjoy him! That's the fun of our children growing up different to us. :celebrate: -
As a mum and ex sch teacher, my observation and teaching experiences have led me to think that kids go through stages of development in terms of handwriting. As their experiences and personalities change, so do their handwriting habits.
I believe that handwriting is not a skill we should get caught up with but rather their daily commitment to work and our daily commitment to shaping their learning experiences.
Just like driving which is an extension of your limbs, your handwriting is a reflection of your character. If we model to them the desirable practices : patience, sense of urgency, motivation, commitment, etc, their attitude towards work changes and the handwriting will follow!
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