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Left-handed Children
When Toddlers Favor Their Left Hands By Carma Haley Shoemaker
Lefties are More Clumsy: As they are thought to be "out of the norm," left-handed children are often labeled as clumsy. But is it true clumsiness, or just a matter or having to adapt? "Left-handed children, when attempting to accommodate to an opposite world, appear awkward using tools that have right hand preference designed into them," says Pieper. "However, right-handers display even more awkwardness using left-handed tools than left-handers do using right-handed tools. This is probably because right-handers are less used to adapting. It's not a matter of being truly clumsy, but instead, it is that a child has not yet overcome or adapted to that right-hand based obstacle."
Lefthanders International has designated August 13 as International Left-handers Day. This August may be a great time to start celebrating your child's uniqueness, versatility and left-handedness. "I have always accepted what life has to offer and tried to teach my kids the same philosophy," says Karen Hawkins, an Internet professional and freelance writer from Bridgton, Maine. "I believe THE most important thing you can do for any child is to accept their limitations, while encouraging them to strive to be the best they can be."
"Being left-handed is not a curse, it is not a handicap and it is not a restraint," says Pieper. "But if the parent makes it a focal point of the child's development, it becomes all these things and more. A child is still a child, in need of guidance, love, understanding, instruction and modeling, regardless of which hand they choose to hold a spoon. Pay attention: Your 'lefty' could probably teach you something regarding adaptation."