ProudGrandma Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 My 5 year old seems pretty comfortable using both his left and his right hand for most things including writing. Do you guys think I need to MAKE him use one or the other...or is it ok for him to keep switiching back and forth? It seems that he switches when either his hand gets tired or he uses his left on the left side of the paper and his right on the right. Thanks for any thoughts. Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 He will develop a preference on his own. Or not. And either way, it's fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialmama Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 :iagree: Do not make him switch! This is normal and vital for brain growth. Forcing him to switch can seriously mess with brain development. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 He will develop a preference on his own. Or not. And either way, it's fine. Do not make him switch! This is normal and vital for brain growth. Forcing him to switch can seriously mess with brain development. :iagree: As a lefty here, I can't fathom being made to write with my right hand. I did, however, get very good at using scissors right handed, since lefty scissors were so rare in school. :glare: I'm actually still pretty good at it. In fact, come to think of it, I don't even own a pair of lefties now, LOL. My dad, who is also a lefty, told me that when he was little, some ps teacher tried to FORCE him to write right handed. :001_huh: I say, let him be. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted October 26, 2009 Author Share Posted October 26, 2009 thank you for the advice...i was thinking that leaving him a lone was the right way to go.....but not being a lefty, I just wasn't sure. THANKS so much!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 With the leave it alone camp :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgm Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 My 5 year old <snip> he uses his left on the left side of the paper and his right on the right. Thanks for any thoughts. Kathy Does he have any other bilateral integration or crossing the mid-line issues? Some suggestions for activities and thoughts on handedness are here: http://admin.babygym.co.za/articles/articles_uploaded/Crossing.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 My Dad is a Leftie. In school, they tried for years to make him right handed, as did his parents at home. He stutters...which apparently can be the result of forcing a Leftie to try and be a Right.:001_huh: Definitely in the leave it alone camp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted October 26, 2009 Author Share Posted October 26, 2009 Does he have any other bilateral integration or crossing the mid-line issues? what does this mean?? I have no idea if he has "issues" or nothing. Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 You shouldn't force him at all. When my dds were little, I put writing/eating utensils in their right hands and helped them with a correct handshape, but if they switched to the left, I just helped them with correct handshape there, too. When they were coloring/"writing" with the left hand, I turned their papers enough so they weren't hooking their hands over the tops of their papers. (Both turned out to be righties.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I wouldn't do a thing. I switched regularly for most everything until I broke my left arm at age 7, and ended up with far better handwriting on my right side by the time the cast came off. I write and draw as a rightie, eat and knit as a leftie, and handle pretty much everything else by using whatever hand is more convenient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgm Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Does he have any other bilateral integration or crossing the mid-line issues? what does this mean?? I have no idea if he has "issues" or nothing. Kathy Bilateral integration is the ability to use both sides of your body together. Crossing the mid-line is the ability to reach across your body and function - i.e. use your left hand to grab a block that is to your right, rather than use your right hand for everything on your right and your left hand for everything on your left. The article I linked can explain it more fully and give you an idea of what the norms are: http://admin.babygym.co.za/articles/articles_uploaded/Crossing.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I finally started putting all of my ds's things to the right of him. When I watched carefully he seemed slightly right handed. When he started writing for any length of time at 7 or 8 and used his left hand it just didn't work quite so well. Once I walked into his room and asked why he was doing his math with his left hand and he looked up puzzled and said, "oh, maybe that's why it's taking so long." He will still everything with either hand but if he remembers it is easier with his right. I would try and figure out which one to encourage for your son. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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