when do babies show themselves to be left or right handed?

Question

I'm right handed, but my nearest rellies are all left-handers, except Eep Senior, who is a touch ambidextrous. Mrs Eep is of mainly right handed stock. Littlest Eep (6 months) seems to keep changing his mind about which hand to grab stuff with.

When will one hand become dominant?

Answer 1

Some babies show a strong preference right from the get-go, but others seem to take their time before dominance is established. I am a leftie myself, with quite a few left-handed relatives, so I was actually surprised that neither of mine inherited that trait.

However, my son seemed to not get the total dominance down until after he was pre-k age and really started working on fine motor, and to this day I see some characteristics of "mixed dominance" in him that seem to be similar to how my left-handed brain is wired (not great with gadgets/tools, not great @ athletics, but good at "whole body" sports like skiing, skating).

My daughter decided a bit earlier on right-handedness, but has some ambi-dexterity. She taught herself to play guitar left-handed, saying it felt more natural to her.

Watch for dominance to emerge as fine motor skills emerge, but don't be surprised to see Baby Eep turn out to be at least a bit ambidexterous.

Answer 2

You might not know the answer to this until Littlest Eep (too cute) is closer to four, five or even six! Young children switch hands until finally they start using one or the other more often and then they settle into what is most comfortable. I have six children and all but one of them is right handed.

Answer 3

Generally, it is decided at conception, but isn't definitely visible until the child starts writing regularly. It is usually around 3 or 4 when a child gets really comfortable using one hand dominantly.

My daughter is only 22 months and writes regularly with her right hand. She pays a lot of attention to what others do and she holds a pencil better then most preschoolers.

Get your child interested in writing with pens, pencils, crayons, markers, and chalk. Let them watch you write so they get the idea.

Good luck. My mom would love your family. She is the only left-handed one in the bunch.

Answer 4

I have one lefty in my house he's 11, up until he was 6 he was ambidextrous, then he just started using one hand (he's autistic and doc told me autistic kids can be ambidextrous). Now my youngest is 3 (and not autistic) and he uses both hands as well. So I don't know the answer to your question :o) Good question though, I will keep an eye on my little one, and the answers on here. :o)

Answer 5

sound like littlest eep will be ambidextrous.

i am right handed, both my children are left handed. they pretty much showed a preference early on. reaching with one hand over the other. let me tell you teaching them to tie their shoes was an adventure. :D
Ta!

Answer 6

Between 15 - 30 months

Answer 7

That can change at any time. Some children will use one hand for one task and the other for another task. Usually by 2 you can get a good idea which will win.

Answer 8

Place a pencil in the middle of the child's hands and whatever hand they grab with should indicate if they are going to be left handed of right handed.

Answer 9

I've known several kids who would switch hands up untill they were in the first grade. My nephews all done this, and now my son does it. He is only 2 though. I don't expect him to use just one hand or pressure him too. He'll figure out which one he's more comfortable with when he's ready.

Answer 10

When they start moving their hands you might be able to notice it, like when they play w/ dolls or cars. Definitely when they start writing. But, keep in mind some kids are both left and right handed.