Teaching of writing and overcoming difficulties in left-handed children

We live in a right-handed world, that's the reality. The vast majority of the population is right-handed and therefore almost all utensils and tools for daily life are designed for right-handed people. Seeing a device that is exclusively for left-handed use may surprise us. The point is such that lefties seem to have to get used to and adapt to the way of life that right-handed people give them. Left-handed children also seem to have to overcome difficulties, especially when learning to write.

It does not seem easy for a left-handed child to learn to write, or at least it does not seem to be as simple as the right-handed children who have the paper and the pencil and who do not stain their hand when dragging it after writing over the written letters. What's more, Left-handers must learn to write taking into account a different posture from right-handers, right?

There are children who are intimidated or confused about how to learn to write, but the reality is that there is not much difference in how right-handed children learn to how left-handed children learn to write. You just have to keep some important things in mind so that they can learn to write without problem and that they are able to overcome the obstacles that may arise.

Take into account the stages of development

Remember that the stages of development are essential to take them into account to teach a left-handed child to write…. taking into account that he is a normal child exactly like another child.

Don't force him

You must remember that laterality is fully developed until the child is between 5 and 6 years old. If you have a young child who is showing a preference for the left hand, he may change over time on his own and be a fully skilled writer by the time he gets to school.

Children should never be forced to use their right hand if they have a preference for the left, it is a natural process and should be respected whatever it is. Allow your child opportunities to explore the use of both hands. Most likely, you will find a preference and eventually use the hand for which you demonstrate the greatest skill, strength, and dexterity.

If you see that he is left-handed, let him know that he is

If your child is left-handed, let him know that he is and transmit calm and confidence because that does not mean anything bad. Absolutely. There are many boys and girls who are left-handed today and that does not imply any academic problems for them. Also there are many adults who are and do not have emotional problems because of it. Being left-handed is not a problem and therefore your child should feel absolute peace of mind.

At school, also comment that your child is left-handed so that they respect that he writes with the left whenever the child shows interest in doing so. Forcing him to write with a non-dominant hand can negatively affect the child and can also confuse him.

Forms of writing

The use of claws in the form of a 'tripod'

Using claws in the form of a 'tripod' means holding the pencil with the index finger and thumb and resting the pencil on the middle finger… Exactly the same as right-handed children do. This will help you develop better movement with your fingers and you will have a much more correct wrist position when writing on paper.

How to hold the pencil

Left-handed children should learn to hold the pencil on a tripod by holding the pencil about two centimeters above the tip of the pencil. When left-handed children move their fingers on the pencil and put them a little higher than the rest of the right-handed children, they will be able to see what they are writing so they will have a better view and a better position of the wrist. Additionally, this will also help them to stain less as they are writing.

If your child is left-handed and does not know how to position his fingers, place an adhesive label at the height where he should press the pencil so that it is easier for him to write and that he can see what he writes better. The sticker or adhesive label will be an easy visual cue to remember.

Put the paper to the left

It is a good idea to teach left-handed children to place the paper to the left of their body so that they can see what they are writing. When they finish writing across the line, the hand should be in front, this way they can move more naturally and keep their wrist straight and they can also see what they are writing.

They do not need special writing tools

As much as they try to market pencils or pens for lefties, the reality is that they do not need to use them, unless specifically recommended by a doctor and for a specific reason. Children and any left-handed person are able to grasp the pencil properly and as effectively as right-handed people.

And what about the scissors? It is important that left-handed children use left-handed scissors, but not because of manual dexterity but because of how the blade is oriented, that allows children to better see where you are cutting. If they have to trim but you don't have left-handed scissors, one trick is to turn the scissors upside down to change the orientation of the scissors. This is not ideal due to the placement of the hands but it is a quick solution in case a child needs it at a certain time.

That a child is left-handed does not imply that he should have more difficulties than right-handed children. Adults must respect the laterality of children whatever it is. Do you have a son or daughter who uses the left hand as the dominant?