Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Original poster

anyone got a left handed child?

27 replies

fryalot · 23/11/2007 09:30

Think ds is going to be left handed, he always swaps his crayon or pencil over to his left.

A couple of questions...

HOw should I teach him to hold a pen? the usual right handed way doesn't look right and it also doesn't look right if he holds it in a fist.

Is there any such thing as a pair of left handed toddler (plastic) scissors?

Anything else I should look out for?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
nailpolish · 23/11/2007 09:32

i hold my pen like a right handed person would (mirrors can help if you think it looks odd!)

right handed people holding pens looks odd to me

how does he hold it naturally?

left handed childrens scissors

i love my left handed scissors. i would recommedn you buy him a pair

hth!

claricebeansmum · 23/11/2007 09:33

Hold pen in exactly the same way as right handed. This is important so that he does not start writing with his hand over the top of his writing - which you see many left handers do.

There is an online left handed store - they might have toddler scissors.

It's only when you get older that things get more complicated - everything is designed for right handers - especially machinery - but you just tend to find ways of getting around it.

coppertop · 23/11/2007 09:34

Ds2 is LH. Tbh he's always been fine with ordinary scissors and hasn't needed special ones. The pencil grip should be the same as for a RH child, although ds2 hasn't quite got this yet.

So far being LH hasn't caused him any particular problems but as he's only in Reception it's probably too early to say.

nailpolish · 23/11/2007 09:34

get him to adjust the paper as opposed to adjusting his hold on the pen

even move his seat so that it is 90degrees tothe table iyswim

southeastastra · 23/11/2007 09:34

my ds(14) is left handed to be honest we didn't do anything differently with him

ChasingSquirrels · 23/11/2007 09:34

not sure on holding a pen as my mum (reception teacher) taught ds, but I am pretty sure he just holds it normall but in his left hand.
She also taught him pretty early (under 3) how to cut right handed with normal scissors (just smaller ones not toddler ones) Once he grasped cutting he was fine with them - which no doubt makes it easier in school.

scorpio1 · 23/11/2007 09:36

my ds is left handed, he is 3. he holds the pencil like right handed people, just in mirrors like nailpolish said!

camicazi · 23/11/2007 09:36

The left handed web store is:
www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk/

My Ds1(9) is left handed and has terrible pencil grip (always smudging writing because his hand drags) -- so probably best to get into good habits sooner rather than later! He uses right handed scissors, as someone told me would be easier in the long run.

Original poster
fryalot · 23/11/2007 09:38

fantastic! thanks very much

(am off to look at links now )

OP posts:
nailpolish · 23/11/2007 09:40

ive just seen the backward ruler on the website

had a rush of excitement I WANT ONE!

Ditzymumofone · 23/11/2007 09:49

My DS finds copying difficult - until I showed im which side to put the book he was copying from! As he is the only left hander in his class, he copied everyone else. I do think it affects learning to write as it is harder to see what you have written, he trails down the page! As a leftie myself the only thing I find makes a difference is a left cheque book (fab) and a ruler.

amidaiwish · 23/11/2007 10:09

oh, this is interesting. DD1 is completely left handed, she does and has always done everything with her left hand. Neither I nor DH are left handed, so we've been wondering if we need to do anything.

She seems to manage ok with normal scissors, i'll watch next time, see how she does it.

She is just starting to write (is 3) and often seems to write "arabic" - starting at the right and going left. So moving the paper should help her? I hadn't clicked it might be because she's left handed.

will be watching this thread for lots of advice!!

nailpolish · 23/11/2007 10:13

i wrote from right to left for ages
i think i was 6 when i eventually stopped! i had a great teacher mum says who ws very patient
i sti at a table with the chair at 90degrees (left hand on the table obv) and the paper at 90degrees too

Bodkin · 23/11/2007 10:32

Ooh, can I hijack?

I posted about this a while back - and was concerned cos my DD(nearly 4) holds her pen in her left hand in a very cack-handed way. Anyway, i have left her to her own devices and she manages very well with ehr "technique" but I'm worried she'll struggle when she starts school in September. Will they make her hold her pen the "normal" way? Should I try and encourage it now? She seems so happy and confident with her current grip I would hate to put her off her stride?

nailpolish · 23/11/2007 10:43

i wouild be shocked if the y made her change it

thse days surely its about whatever the child feels is best?

Niecie · 23/11/2007 11:06

He might be a bit little for splashing out this sort of money but you could try Yoropens. My DS is a leftie and the OT he is seeing recommended the pens as it allows lefties to see what they are writing and also not smudge their work.

Link here

FluffyMummy123 · 23/11/2007 11:07

Message withdrawn

Niecie · 23/11/2007 11:14

Bodkin I would think they will probably encourage her to change her grip as they would any child whether they are left or right handed, but they won't make her change the hand she uses if that is what you mean. If she is at nursery have a word and see what they say. They should have come across this before and will know if you should be adjusting her grip now or whether to leave it until she starts school.

suedonim · 23/11/2007 12:29

Both my dd's are l-handed but I didn't do anything special with them. ELC sells l-handed scissors v cheaply.

Original poster
fryalot · 23/11/2007 12:31

oh, that's good to know.

Glad I didn't buy anything off those links yet

OP posts:
pooka · 23/11/2007 12:46

DD is left handed. The only thing I'm noticing so far is that she always writes from the right side of the page towards the left. So her name = ycul, with the loopy bit of the u on the wrong side.
She's 4, and all I'm doing is saying lovely writing but remember to start on the same side as your pen IYSWIM. Am hoping it'll be something she gets used to with minimum hassle.

jellybelly25 · 23/11/2007 14:43

dd1 is lh, always held pen the same way as anyone else, the only interference I ever made was to try to get her not to hold in a fist, the rest of the pincer grip she made up herself. she has some issues with some scissors (eg nail scissors, don't ask) but is pretty confident so will speak up if she struggles.

She did carry on writing backwards sometimes until about age 6 tho! Perfect mirror images of normal writing, lol. just something to keep an eye on i guess.

ProfYaffle · 23/11/2007 14:48

Dd1 is left handed, the only thing I've bought specially for her is some left handed scissors. She's only just learning her letters (3.5) but seems to be coping well so far, other than a tendancy to write right to left which she seems to be getting over already.

lululemonrefuser · 23/11/2007 14:55

I'd just add that at school it's worth checking that he doesn't persistently get sat at desk with a right handed child immediately on his left. This always drives my son (and the other child mad probably!) crazy - lots of crashing of elbows and makes it hard for both kids.

MrsClausinJimmyChoos · 23/11/2007 14:57

I think DS is going to be left handed (I am and so his Granny) but will have to wait and see as he swtiches a lot at the moment although he eats/mushes food with left hand!