when can you 'tell' if a child is right or left-handed?

[lunarx]

i know its probably been asked before..but..!!!

anyone know?

[Epiffany]

It varies wildly
With ds I knew he was left handed from about 6 weeks, it was very obvious
With dd she is 3 and I suspect she is left handed however not one of the many education people we see in her busy medicla life (she has rare genetic condition and some mild special needs)
We are busy trying to establish it now but am no closer to finding out!
If you check out the left handed society a quick google should locate it for you, there are some simple things you can do to establish what handednees a child is and indeed if they are left handed what type of LH they are!

[CaChristmasLista]

It does vary but usually by the time they are 3-4 years old (pre-school age-ish) they have a noticeable preference. It is worth remembering though that there is a link between speech delay and handed-ness. It's the same side of the brain that controls them, and if a child has a speech delay they probably won't choose which hand they have a preference for until their speech is fully developed. This is true for my DS1 (3.9yrs) who has a speech delay and has always shown a preference for his left side but still uses his right hand just as much when holding a pencil etc ATM.