| In the last few years the number of left handed | | | | taught using the correct method and approach. |
| persons has increased dramatically. This is partly | | | | Here are some of the ways in which you can help a |
| because left handed children are not forced to use the | | | | left handed approach: |
| right hand for writing any more but are rather | | | | Mindset: First and foremost never ever discourage a |
| encouraged to use whichever hand the child shows a | | | | left handed child from using the left hand for writing. |
| preference to. Previously a left handed child was | | | | Paper Position: Rotate the paper 45 degrees |
| always corrected and encouraged to use the right | | | | clockwise (top to the right). This way by moving the |
| hand. | | | | paper to the right (rather than the traditional approach |
| A left handed child cannot be taught to write using the | | | | of keeping it to the left) you are allowing the left |
| same principles that are used to teach a right handed | | | | handed child to view their writing as they write. This |
| child. The normal and the more regular methods of | | | | gives them confidence, makes them right faster and |
| teaching are more suited for a right handed child. Often | | | | teaches them handwriting skills. |
| a right handed person is not even aware of the | | | | Pencil Position: Left handed children should hold their |
| problems a left handed person has to face. | | | | pencils an inch and half higher than right handed |
| Here are some of the common problems faced by a | | | | children. Encourage them to keep their wrist and hand |
| left handed child: | | | | below the writing line. If you find there is a lot of |
| Push Vs Pull: When a right handed child is writing he or | | | | smudging then may be use a harder lead pencil like |
| she is pulling the pen/pencil across the paper. This | | | | number 3 instead of a number 2 lead pencil. |
| works well because we write left to right. Left handed | | | | Avoid Hooking: One of the main problems faced by |
| children have to push their pen/pencil across the page. | | | | left handed children is that they cannot see what they |
| This is quite hard. This also makes the nib of the pen | | | | are writing. In order to be able to see what they are |
| pencil go deeper into the paper rather than flow | | | | writing they tend to hook their hands above the writing |
| smoothly. | | | | line and write. This is a very difficult posture and |
| Smudging: When a left handed child is writing on the | | | | cumbersome. Discourage them from hooking. A |
| paper his or her hand is following the pen/pencil. And | | | | proper paper position and pencil position will enable |
| this way it is easy to smudge the letters they just | | | | them to see what they are writing. So encourage |
| wrote. This can cause a real mess. The mess can be | | | | proper paper position and good pencil position and |
| even more when a left handed person uses a proper | | | | discourage hooking. |
| nib in cartridge or a fountain pen. | | | | Special Products: There are special pens and pencils |
| Watch What You Write: Since we write from left to | | | | specifically designed for left handed persons. Make |
| right (in majority of the languages), a right handed | | | | use of them and teach your children handwriting skills |
| person can watch what they are writing as they are | | | | the correct way. |
| writing. This is often difficult for a left handed person | | | | And finally Happy Handwriting to one and all...Teach |
| and hence they can develop bad handwriting if not | | | | kids handwriting without tears. |