Why Hand Dominance Matters Before Starting School
As parents, we spend the year before school making sure our children are ready in so many ways, recognising their name, following routines, making friends. But one important piece of school readiness that often goes unnoticed is hand dominance.
If your child is starting school in 2026 or 2027, this is the perfect time to understand how hand dominance develops and why it matters for your child’s confidence and coordination once they walk into the classroom.
What is Hand Dominance?
Hand dominance, or hand preference, is when a child consistently uses one hand for skilled tasks such as drawing, cutting or writing, while the other hand supports or stabilises. It reflects how the brain organises fine motor control and develops efficiency.
Children experiment with both hands from toddlerhood, but by around four years of age, most begin to show a clear preference. This doesn’t mean that swapping hands occasionally is a concern, but as school approaches, consistency should start to appear.
Guidelines from the Royal Children’s Hospital and the HSE Paediatric Occupational Therapy team explain that this stage of development supports the coordination and strength needed for more complex fine motor tasks such as writing, scissoring and using classroom tools.
Why Hand Dominance is Important Before School
It is easy to assume that children will “just pick a hand” eventually, but the development of hand dominance has meaningful effects on school performance, coordination and self-confidence.
Fine Motor Skills and Writing Readiness
Research published in Frontiers in Psychology (Michel et al., 2014) shows that children with a stable hand preference develop smoother motor planning and use less effort for skilled movements. Without a clear preference, children may switch hands mid-task, experience fatigue or find writing and cutting more difficult.
Bilateral Coordination and Crossing the Midline
Dominance also helps both hands work together efficiently. One becomes the “doing” hand while the other is the “helping” hand that stabilises objects. This cooperation supports tasks such as holding paper still while writing, cutting shapes or managing lunch containers. Children who are unsure of which hand to use often avoid reaching across their body, which can make these everyday activities more effortful.
Confidence and Independence
A child who can confidently control their pencil, scissors or playdough tools feels capable and independent. This sense of mastery sets the tone for a positive start to school. When tasks take extra effort, frustration can quickly build.
What Happens if Hand Dominance Isn’t Established
If a child still switches hands frequently by the start of school, you might notice slower fine motor progress or difficulty completing tasks efficiently. Some children tire quickly, struggle to stabilise materials or avoid drawing and writing altogether.
A study in the Journal of Applied Sciences (2008) found that unclear hand preference was associated with slower development of classroom-based skills, likely due to increased cognitive effort and reduced motor efficiency. While this doesn’t mean every child who swaps hands will struggle, early support can prevent frustration and make learning smoother.
How to Support Hand Dominance at Home
Supporting hand dominance should feel natural, playful and pressure-free. The goal is to give your child plenty of opportunities to explore and strengthen their preferred hand. Here are three practical strategies to support hand dominance without adding additional tasks to an already busy household!
Observe Without Forcing
Notice which hand your child uses for everyday activities such as eating, brushing teeth or drawing. Allow them to explore freely. Forcing a hand choice can create confusion and delay progress.
Place Tools in the Middle
Position pencils, scissors and other tools directly in front of your child so they can naturally choose which hand feels comfortable.
Encourage “Doing” and “Helping” Language
Use language such as “Which hand is doing the work?” or “Let’s use your helping hand to hold the paper.” This helps your child understand the role of both hands.
When to Seek Support from an Occupational Therapist
It may be worth checking in with a paediatric occupational therapist if your child is four or five and still swaps hands frequently, tires quickly using one hand, avoids crossing the midline, or struggles with fine motor tasks such as cutting, drawing or managing clothing fasteners.
An OT can assess your child’s development and provide play based strategies that strengthen coordination and make fine motor tasks feel easier and more natural. Early support can build confidence, prevent fatigue and make the transition to school smoother.
The Takeaway for Parents
Establishing hand dominance is not about deciding whether your child will be right or left handed. It’s about giving their brain the foundation it needs for confident and coordinated movement.
By supporting hand preference and fine motor strength during the preschool years, you are helping your child begin school feeling capable and ready to learn. By addressing hand dominance sooner rather than later, your child can walk into their first classroom ready to write, create and participate with confidence.
