Discovering Dominant Hand

My son started using his right hand more around 18 months. But he still sometimes holds his fork in his left hand, or switches a crayon back and forth. He does prefer eating and coloring with his right hand though.

S., my coworker and I were just discussing this yesterday. My little boy now almost 4 was the same way. However, It has just been in the past year or so that he finally picked his right over his left. For a long time he would draw and color, and eat with his left as well as his right. The situation is nothing to worry about and time will tell. At the same time, I would not "try" to pursuade him to dominate either hand, let him choose naturally. Who knows, maybe she'll be one of the few who are ambidextrious (uses both hands equally). But it's nothing to worry about.
Jenn

I have a two year old son who just starting preferring his left hand over his right hand ( both me and my husband are right-handed). He does eveything with his left hand but your child will start showing which hand she prefers soon.

Sincerely,
A. L.

I don't remember exactly when I noticed the preference, but definatly by 2 yrs. My 3 yr is still using his right hand at times, but my husband and I can see a preference for his left hand.

About age 3 is when they start using one hand over the other as their dominant hand. Hope this helps. :-)

It's okay. My son used both hands until kindergarten and my 6 year old uses her right, but can write with her left too. They'll decide later which one they want to use. Like the other posters said, I wouldn't force either one. Maybe she'll use both! In kindergarten is when they made my son CHOOSE which one to use all the time when he began writing more throughout the day. :)

My sons doctor did not check for the dominant hand until 4th year well baby check up. And even now I notice he will use both.