Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. Most left-handed people exhibit some degree of ambidexterity. Left-handedness is relatively uncommon; seven to ten percent of the adult population is left-handed.

It can be difficult for left-handed children to learn to write if the teacher does not take the student's left-handedness into account. In fact, even in the later 20th century, some UK schools were discouraging children from writing with their left hand, often seriously affecting the child's development (Hansard 1998).

Many left-handers develop a poor handwriting and/or posture, often due to lack of proper guidance when first learning to write. We are giving you some guideline to left handers of all ages to identify common problems and correct them to make handwriting clear, efficient and comfortable.

COMMON HANDWRITING PROBLEMS

The most common problems are:

Hook position

he hook handwriting position where the hand is hooked around the writing instrument, in an attempt to angle the pen or pencil in the same way as a right- hander would. This causes the arm and body to be hooked into an awkward position, making handwriting very uncomfortable and slow.

Smudged work:

When the hand is follows the writing line, it will automatically smudge the writing as it follows along.

Overtight grip

This leads to cramped, badly formed letters and erratic writing style and is also very tiring.

GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW:

• Many of the problems left-handed children encounter can be solved fairly easily, by
  following these guidelines:
• Hold the pencil at least 2 cm away from the tip so that they do not hide your writing.
• Place the paper clockwise up to a maximum of 45º. This should would bring the hand into the correct writing
  position - underneath the writing line.
• Sit on the left side of a double desk, or next to another left-hander to avoid elbow clashing.
  
• Make sure you can see the blackboard without twisting round.
• Ensure that the desk and chair are a suitable height.

Famous Left Handers

A few video testimonials: