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| Quick reference medical handouts used
by Pediatric offices |
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Promoting Left-Handed Success
Here are some tips for promoting success in your
Left-Hander:
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Accept that the child is left-handed. Never label the left-handed
child clumsy or awkward. Parents can make a conscious effort to help left-handers
avoid problems. Use positive role models to demonstrate that many gifted
people are left-handed.
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Don't try to encourage the child to use the right hand if he favors
his left.
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Help the child learn to hold crayons, pencils and paper
correctly.
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Look for tools and everyday items geared for left-handers.
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Don't be directed by myths about being left-handed.
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Work with preschool teachers and directors by calling attention to
the fact that: The pencil sharpener is turned the wrong way. Notebook rings
and composition-book spirals dig into the hand. Because the left-hander's
hand passes over what he has written, ink and pencil smudges are ever present.
Writing on the chalkboard produces chalky blurs. Scissors are a pain because
their cutting edge is upside down. Hands cross awkwardly to draw a line.
The left-hander must sit at the left end at the cafeteria table or knock
into another's elbows.
Here are some suggestions for teachers of
left-handers:
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Left-handers often enter school with bad habits. Show left-handers
how to turn their papers to the right rather than the left as right-handers
do. This helps them to see their work better, to have better leverage, and
to write faster.
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Teach him to hold his pencil about 1 1/2 inches higher than a right-hander
so that he can see around his hand.
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Seat him so that the shadow from the light will not shade the work
of his left hand.
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Show him how to point the eraser of his pencil toward the left shoulder
not away from his body.
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Suggest that he keep the inside of his wrist flat against the writing
surface. This prevents hooking by helping the wrist stay straight and keeping
the elbow close to the body.
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Provide pencils with harder lead-and later, pens with quick-drying
ink-so the hand will not smudge.
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Encourage a slant that works best. Some left-handers can't slant to
the right. What is important is that the handwriting can be read!
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Provide left-handed supplies, such as scissors and rulers.
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If a child is painting at an easel, be sure the paint holder is on
the left. Most easels have holders on the right only, which means disaster
when a left-hander paints.
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When teaching a left-hander to tie shoes or any other hand-related
skill, don't sit beside him or try to teach him with your left hand (unless
you are left-handed). Instead, face the child as if you are a mirror; then
demonstrate the skill. This works well for demonstrating cutting or working
with crafts.
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At mealtime, seat the left-hander to the far left so his left arm
will not knock the right arm of another.
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In cooperative groups, seat the left-hander on the left.
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When left-handers are at the computer, make sure there is room for
materials to be placed to the left of the computer.
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Supply sports equipment that is left-handed friendly.
As a reminder, this information should not be relied on as
medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your child’s pediatrician.
Please read our full disclaimer.
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