Lefty or Righty??

Hi all,

Quick question - does anyone know how soon you can tell whether bubs is right handed or left handed? Is it something that runs in the family? My 9mth old son shows a definate preference to his left side and his dad is one of those lucky people who can use both left and right, so I wonder whether Mitchell will be too? I'm not concerned at all, just interested. Has anyone else noticed a definate preference for one side in their bubby's?

Thx,
Jen

Im not sure! But Cohen grabs everything with his left hand. I've heard that it can be hereditary. My mum, 2 brothers, my nan, and me are all lefties!!

Left handedness (that's not a word) can definately be hereditary but sometimes skips a generation. I teach pre-primaries and sometimes they haven't even worked it out by then! I think that dominant lefties will show signs really early so it is quite possible that your son is a lefty. I am weird in that I can use my left hand to write on the blackboard but not with a pen!

Both DH and I are lefties but DS holds food with his right and toys with his left. So who knows.
I am VERY left handed, whereas DH only writes with his left and does everything else with his right.
You would expect DS to be a lefty too.

Thanks for your replies. My dad is a lefty (and like Talansmummy, VERY left handed!!) so if it does skip a generation, it looks like Mitch might be a lefty!

I guess it's just another interesting part of a babies development. Every part of it never ceases to amaze me!

Thanks again,
Jen

Me too, they seem so ambitextrous (sp?) as little ones, I wonder when that brain function starts to become stronger to decide what hand they will use for what?
Amazing isnt it.

Hi Jen
It's usually by the time they are 8 years old they and you will know whether they are left or right handed.

I attended a seminar on this the other day, the child will sort it by the age of 8, but until they are showing a definate preference for one side or the other the pen, spoon, fork etc should always be placed in front of them, in the middle, not off to one side or the other, so as to allow them to develop their own preference and not one you impose on them smile
I thought that was an interesting point smile

my dd grabs everything with her left hand ( and sucks her left thumb). I am a lefty, my cousion is and my grandfather was so yeah it meant to be in the family. time will tell

8?! Wow! I guess I should stop obsessing over it until he's at least 6. :- )

Interesting point about putting things in the middle and letting the child decide which hand to take it in. Very good advice - thanks! Sounds like an interesting seminar you went to busymum.

Thanks again,
Jen