Until fairly recently, left-handedness was thought to be a pathological condition arising from damage to the brain suffered in the womb or postnatally. This theory was supported with the evidence that a greater number of epileptics and schizophrenics were left-handed. Babies begin life by using both hands and later develop through a stage of using the right and left alternately. By the age of four, a preference of hand will be noticeable and by the age of eight or nine, dominance will have been established. Studies have shown that there are varying degrees of left-handedness.
Some children write with their left hand but have a dominant right for other tasks.
Others use both hands with equal ease. No child should be forced to change from left to right-handedness, but they could find themselves at a distinct disadvantage at school if teachers are not made aware of the problems that they face. If your child is left-handed he could face major pitfalls when learning to write. If a parent or teacher is not left-handed the child may not be shown the best way to perform this task. Consequently, he will either try to find his own way, or imitate his right-handed parents or friends, adopting an unnatural position known as the hook.