Expert Answers: Standing up for the left-handed

My son is almost four and it looks as though he is going to be left-handed. I wouldn't worry about this except for the fact that my brother is too and he had a dreadful time at school. I am worried they will force him to use his right hand and I don't know what to do for the best.

NO-ONE has come up with a definitive reason why some people are left-handed, but about 15 per cent of the population around the world are, and it is thought to be genetic.

Researchers have recently located a gene they believe "makes it possible to have a left-handed child" so if you have that gene, one or more of your children may be left-handed.

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The brain is "cross-wired" so that the left hemisphere controls the right-handed side of the body and vice-versa and hand dominance is connected with brain dominance on the opposite side – which is why we say that only left-handers are "in their right minds".

This brain dominance makes left-handers more likely than right-handers to be creative and visual thinkers.

It is thought that what makes us left or right-handed is developed in the womb and it can be seen early on by noticing which hand is usually held close to the mouth.

Many of the words associated with left-handed people are negative, but there is evidence that more of them are high achievers.

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The company Anything Left Handed supplies a wide range of products via the internet to people all over the world.

Those behind the firm also research issues affecting both young and old left-handers and the website for children grew out of concern for what was happening to youngsters.

With the correct help and the right equipment there can be a huge difference in the progress of left-handed children who can otherwise be seriously held back.

Over the years, Anything Left Handed has done surveys about the experience of school and it seems that if you want to avoid being disadvantaged certain things will help.

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Having a left-handed teacher would be advantageous but, if not, a parent who understands and is prepared to stand up to teachers who don't understand, is invaluable.

Better understanding and proper equipment could make a huge difference for a left-handed child.

Some researchers claim that left-handed people are more intelligent and eloquent.

"Lefties" do have some significant advantages over right-handed people. They tend to be more athletically- inclined, to have more spatial awareness and to think more quickly.

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Some famous left-handed people include presidents George HW Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Prince Charles and Prince William are both left-handed.

Paul Charlson

GP from Brough

First of all well done for being a thoughtful parent, your son can only benefit from having such a supportive mother. While I understand your concerns resulting from the regrettable way your brother was treated at school and their failings due to lack of awareness, schools now have a better understanding and approach to the individual needs of pupils and are much more inclusive. These days no child should be forced to change from left to right-handedness. I strongly suggest you make an appointment to speak to his/her teacher prior to starting school to make him/her aware of your son's needs and your concerns. This will not only allow the school to obtain/research any appropriate resources to aid your son's transition into school life but also it will help you to feel assured that they are providing a supportive and caring environment in which your son will flourish. There are some very good web sites which can offer practical advice, support and resources, for example www.lefthandedchildren.org. Try not to worry, I am sure with the support of yourself and school, your son will enjoy learning and making new friends in a positive environment.

Elaine Douglas

A chartered psychologist who specialises in family and child relationships

There was a time when left-handed children were encouraged into using their right hand for writing at school. I suspect that your brother was probably one of those youngsters. I've spoken to a couple of teacher friends to see whether nowadays there are any issues with left-handed children and they have assured me that children are not forced to write or draw with their non-preferred hand. By about the age of five, hand dominance is usually evident. The main thing is to "go with the flow" not try to push them into using their non preferred hand. When they are young you can help them to do things such as fastening buttons or tying shoelaces by facing them (acting as a mirror) and getting them to copy you exactly. In that way if you use your right hand to do something they will use their left. When it comes to school teachers are much more aware than they used to be that it is wrong to force a child to write/draw with their non-dominant hand, and there are lots of ways in which they can be helped. For example, there are scissors, other writing and drawing implements, a mouse for a PC, sporting equipment etc that are designed for left-handers.

Cary Cooper

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Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health at Lancaster University

Obviously the most important person here is your son, how he is coping and how happy he is.

The level of understanding about left-handedness has improved enormously since your brother's experiences

at school.

Today, schools are able to nurture the signs of left-handedness, and have the right equipment to assist any child in adapting. The best action you can take is to speak to the teachers at the school, let them know of your concerns and work with them.

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You can help him at home by getting him the right materials like left-handed scissors, etc. There are several websites that may be of use to you and forums where other parents in similar situations offer advice: www.kidsdevelopment.co.uk, www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk, www.lefthandedchildren.org

Dr Carol Burniston

Consultant Clinical Child Psychologist

The education system is a lot more advanced than it was when your brother was at school. No-one will try to change the hand which your son favours to write. Approximately 10 per cent of people are left handed, including Paul McCartney, John McEnroe and Barack Obama. Which hand we prefer to use in our lives is determined in the womb. It can make life more awkward being left handed in a right-handed world, but there are lots of things now made especially for left handed people, including scissors, golf clubs and musical instruments.

Try to have a relaxed attitude towards your son's "handedness". If you don't make a big thing of it, it will be entirely normal to him. Because we write from left to right, being left-handed can cause people to cover their work as they go and can lead to smudging. Children in countries where Arabic or Chinese are predominant, don't have the same problem. Children learn to compensate by altering the way they write so as not to obscure what they have written. I am sure your son will work this out to suit himself with practise.

HELPING HAND FOR THE LEFTIES

According to scientists, about 15 per cent of people are left-handed.

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However, it is difficult to quantify as the number of left-handed people varies from culture to culture.There are a number of websites specifically for left-handed people.

The website www. lefthandedchildren.org has guides for sale on how to write, hold pens and paper, how to use scissors, tie shoelaces plus much more.

www.anythinglefthanded.co.uk is the website to look through for information.

The book Your Left-handed Child by Lauren Milsom, costs 9.99 through the sites.