 Review by
Richard SumrallIn her new book, "Your Left-Handed Child,"
author Lauren Milsom, co-founder of the Left-Handers Club, describes the
efforts of herself and her husband to increase the awareness of raising
left-handed children in a right-handed environment. It is a complex
situation because "left-handedness is a trait we are born with," and this
trait sometimes carries negative social or cultural connotations.
Understanding the development of left-handed children and making
accommodations for accomplishment through the child's preschool development,
the strategies for everyday life, their schoolwork and extracurricular
activities such as sports or music can combat this unfounded and frustrating
stigma.
"Development of Left-Handedness"
What are the prevailing theories about left-handedness? Is it simply all
in the mind? According to Milsom, most people have a lateral preference:
that is, "a preference for using one hand or the other for certain tasks."
Current research suggests that the issue is more complex than the earlier
"left brain, right brain" theories. It is her contention that because the
research remains inconclusive, left-handedness is an inherited trait.
Given this consideration, parents should determine early on the child's
degree of handedness. Does the child favor one hand over the other for their
one-handed tasks or do they appear comfortable using either hand? It is
important to understand that the dominant hand may be influenced by the
child's motor skills, particularly as they interact with their dominant eye,
ear and foot.
"Pre-School Development"
As newborn babies begin to develop, they exhibit a tendency toward their
right or left hand. To avoid any frustrations during this time, parents can
watch for some early indicators, such as watching which hand they use to
reach for objects, which hand they use to feed themselves, or how they form
or draw shapes and letters.
Since a child's preference to use a dominant hand is sometimes slow to
develop, Milsom recommends that you "encourage your baby or toddler to
experiment with using both hands for feeding, holding and placing objects."
Once the child's left-handed preference is realized, parents have many
options for improving their motor skills. One option is to encourage the
child's pre-writing skills. Since children learn at an early age that
"writing carries meaning," activities like finger painting, tri-grip pencils
and fluidity of movement not only help distinguish the child's hand
preference, they also teach essential skills needed throughout their life.
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"Strategies for Everyday Life"
As Milsom points out, "being left-handed is not a problem -- but
using right-bias equipment can be." Identifying the child's hand
preference is crucial to improving other skills besides writing.
Teaching good grip and posture, using tools and implements, handling
kitchen utensils, and perfecting fine motor skills (tying knots,
shoelaces, etc.) can strengthen the child's abilities and reinforce
their confidence to successfully coexist in a right-biased world.
According to the author, there are three things to consider when
introducing any implement to the child: where and how it is gripped;
the direction of the force needed; and where the controls and any
safety switches are positioned.
A reminder -- even modern conveniences can have a preference bias
against the user. A good example is electronic equipment. The
operational layout of certain computers, video games and cameras can
actually increase their difficulty of use. Control devices and
buttons engineered for right-handed users can pose many challenges.
A classic example is the computer mouse. Previously designed to be
ergonomically comfortable to the right hand, the mouse now comes in
designs for either hand preference or as a neutral shape. The same
is true for the computer's software. Options now allow users to
choose their preference so that the child is comfortable with an
efficient left-hand preference manipulation of the mouse.
"Your Left-Handed Child" is an essential resource containing the
latest information on the subject of hand preference in children.
Milsom writes from her own experience; both she and her husband are
left-handed, and they are the parents of a left-handed son and a
right-handed daughter. She writes: "In this book you will find
details of the most common challenges that your child will face,
together with lots of simple and useful strategies to overcome these
day-to-day obstacles, making life more comfortable and efficient for
your left-handed child."
This book is recommended to parents and caregivers of children,
babies and toddlers.
[Text from file received
from Richard Sumrall,
Lincoln Public Library District]
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