Preference
Sometime between your toddler’s first and second birthday, you may notice that she favors her right or left hand. She may always hold her spoon with her left hand, for example. This is normal, as is preferring to lead with one specific foot when climbing.
During 2. year you may have noticed your toddler beginning to favor one hand over another for things like eating or reaching. (Babies tend to use their hands interchangeably.) This coming year, use of the dominant hand will become more consistent and you’ll probably know for sure whether your child is left-handed or right-handed. Not sure yet? Try this: Hold out a toy and see which hand she uses to reach for it. Watch which hand she picks up her spoon with at meals. The dominant hand is usually stronger and has more dexterity, so it’s the one she’ll be likely to use.
A minority of kids remain ambidextrous, meaning they use both hands equally, until kindergarten. Some children use a dominant hand for eating and writing but the other hand for throwing a ball. Handedness is largely genetic. Only about one in 10 people are left-handed, but if both parents are lefties there’s a 50 percent chance their child will be, too.
