Hand preference usually begins to emerge between 2-4 years of age. Many children have established a hand preference by 5-6 years old, and definite hand dominance can continue to develop up through 8-9 years old. These activities can help your child to develop a hand preference:
- Screwing On/Off Lids: Hide objects or stickers inside for the child to discover to make it more interesting and fun. Dominant hand would be on the lid while the stabilizing hand is on the jar.
- Scooping: Use a spoon to scoop beans, salt, or cheerios to place in a container. Model using one hand to stabilize the containers while the other hand scoops.
- Coloring: Encourage coloring on a small piece of paper, using opposite hand to stabilize the paper.
- Stickers: Remove stickers from sticker sheet and place on paper. Practice crossing the midline of the body by placing a sticker on your child’s shoulder, and having them remove it with their opposite hand to place it on paper. Complete the same amount of repetitions for each side.
- Baking/Cooking: Have your child help you prepare a meal or some delicious cookies. Encourage them to assist with stirring ingredients with a spoon while stabilizing the bowl with their other hand. Have them open the tops of seasoning containers. There are plenty of two-handed tasks involved in preparing food, which makes this an easy activity to help establish hand preference.
Lack of hand preference/dominance can lead to difficulties with a variety of functional skills, such as handwriting, self-care tasks, play skills, and more. If you believe that your child is struggling with hand preference, please contact our pediatric occupational therapists at Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center at 773-687-9241.
They can complete an assessment to help determine whether additional support is needed to help your child develop the appropriate hand dominance for fine motor success!
