Let's see how we can find out if our children are right-handed or left-handed to help them perform in their daily tasks as well as possible. To know if a child is right or left handed we can do different tests or tests which will tell us what is its predominant laterality.
The purpose of these tests is none other than that indicated at the beginning and we have already commented on other occasions: to help the child in its development, never correct it. That is, if left-handed, give directions on how to write, help you by buying some left-handed utensil that we think may be useful ...
In any case, since laterality is not completely defined at the same age in all children, and rarely before three or four years, we will have to insist on these tests later if we observe that a child does not opt for one or other hand
We must even bear in mind that, although at 4 years the dominant hand is used more frequently, by 6 or 7 years a transition period in which the child uses the non-nominating hand or both hands.
These are some simple tests that we can do with children and that facilitate the possibility of determining in each symmetrical part of the body, which dominates.
Harris test
10 actions are performed. Most can adapt to children, since if they still can't write they can paint, and the hammer or scissors must be a toy.
- Throw a ball.
- Wind a watch.
- Hit with a hammer.
- Brushing teeth.
- Combing
- Turn the door knob.
- Tighten a rubber.
- Cutwith scissors.
- Cut with knife.
- To write.
Zazzo test
Activities are carried out that we can easily perform as a game with children and attending different parts of the body:
- The hand: distribution of cards, cards ...
- The eye: aiming (straining a ball into a small hole, fitting a stick into the lock ...).
- The foot: hopscotch or tello (jump to the limp leg) or kick a ball.
Bergea test
Certain movements and tests are performed for one hand, such as:
- Hit a toy hammer, or the drumstick of a drum ...
- Remove small objects from a box.
- Combing
- Mira Stambak stippling test (from 6 to 10 years old). This test consists of filling a grid sheet as quickly as possible, with both hands, determining a score for each age, where incoordination, scrupulousness, impulsivity, anxiety can be observed.
- Dynamometer or force measurement.
It is completed with others bimanual activities, of which we will have to eliminate the dangerous ones for children, like lighting a match.
- Unscrew a cap and screw it again.
- Proof of cuts.
- Make two lumps of sugar powder.
- Handling of swabs.
- Distribution of cards, corms ...
Are we totally left-handed or totally right-handed?
As for the different degrees of laterality, we can talk about:
Right-handed homogeneous laterality, when in a given person, the predominant eye, hand, ear, foot, etc. are on the right side.
Homogeneous left-handed side, when the predominant eye, hand, ear, foot, etc. are on the left side.
The cross laterality It is when the predominance of a hand, the eye, the ear, the foot, etc., are not located on the same side of the body.
To know if we are only right-handed or left-handed, or if a different laterality predominates in other parts of the body, there are these tests that follow and that we can perform with children. Will he be left handed? Right in sight? Through these questions we will realize that one is not 100% right or left handed, there is always some degree of cross laterality.
We can "play" to imagine that the center of the back itches. What hand do you try to scratch?
Interlace the fingers. Which thumb is the one that is above?
When you start clapping with your hands horizontally, which hand is the one that overlaps?
What eye tends to wink?
Put your hands behind your back and hold one to the other. what hand does it hold?
If the child can not hear something we say and ask him to make the gesture to bring his ear to hear better helping with one hand. What did you hear about?
Which hand counts up to three?
Let's play you have to tilt your head to some side to touch a shoulder. What shoulder do you touch?
When crossing the arms, which hand is superimposed?
When leafing through a story, in what way does it do it, back to front or front to back? What hand do you use?
Apart from the normal variations, if the predominant side of the child is not defined after five years, it could be ambidextrous, as long as we discard a motor problem and develop well with both hands.
If there is one irregular or deficient laterality Alterations may occur in reading, writing, problems with spatial orientation, stuttering, dyslexia, etc.
Hopefully you are tests to know if your children are right or left handed help you to encourage them and accompany them in their development and learning.
Photos | trix0r and another sergio on Flickr More information | Speech Therapist, Lefty In Babies and more | Will it be right or left handed ?, Know if your child is left or right handed, The needs of a left handed child
