While left-handers are often seen as rare – only 13% of the world’s population navigate life with their left hand – they bring a range of fascinating abilities and perspectives.
Left-handers have always stood out in a right-handed world. From using scissors to writing in a spiral notebook, everyday tasks can sometimes be challenging for lefties. Yet, these challenges help to nurture remarkable adaptability and problem-solving skills among left-handed individuals.
Interestingly, left-handedness isn’t just about which hand you write with. It’s linked to the brain’s structure and function. Research shows that left-handers often have a more developed right hemisphere, which is associated with creativity, spatial awareness, and holistic thinking. This might explain why many lefties excel in fields such as art, music, and sports.
Cognitive benefits of using the non-dominant hand
Some experts believe using your non-dominant hand – left for right-handers and vice versa – can have significant cognitive benefits. Their thinking is that performing tasks with the non-dominant hand can boost brain activity and improve mental flexibility. This concept, called neuroplasticity, means that the brain can change and adapt by creating new connections between brain cells.
Try brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand a few times – you’ll quickly see how this simple act requires pause and concerted effort. By stretching our brains and making small adjustments in educational settings, we can support left-handers in reaching their full potential.
Read more about being left-handed, in our articles, The Left-handed Child and Left of Centre.
Left-handers and education
Desks and writing tools are typically designed for right-handed use, which can lead to discomfort and even hinder academic performance. However, with a few adjustments, educators can create a more inclusive environment that supports left-handed learners. These include:
- Ergonomic tools: providing left-handed scissors, pens and notebooks can make a significant difference. These tools lessen discomfort and help left-handed students work more comfortably.
- Desk arrangement: seating left-handed students on the left side of a shared desk or table prevents elbow clashes and gives them the space they need to write freely.
- Handwriting instruction: tailoring handwriting instruction to left-handed students can help them develop a more natural and legible writing style. This includes teaching them to tilt their paper correctly and use a relaxed grip.
- Awareness and training: educating teachers about the needs of left-handed students can foster a more supportive learning environment. Simple awareness can lead to small changes that make a big difference.
The good news is that writing instruments and tools ideal for left-handers are now easier to find than ever before. Consumers can find a range of products specifically designed to cater to left-handed users, including pens, pencils and notebooks.
Being left-handed is not just about overcoming challenges; it’s also about embracing a unique perspective. Left-handers often approach problems and tasks differently, bringing creativity and innovation to everything they do. Whether in the classroom, the workplace, or everyday life, lefties enrich our world with their distinctive talents.
Famous left-handers
- Leonardo da Vinci was a left-handed artist, inventor, sculptor, architect and scientist whose dramatic works, most notably the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper continue to inspire.
- Marie Curie was the pioneering physicist and chemist whose groundbreaking work on radioactivity led to her being awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1911 for isolating pure radium.
- Another Nobel Prize winner (for Physics in 1921), Albert Einstein, a theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity and discovered the photoelectric effect, is considered the most influential scientist of the 20th century.
- Oprah Winfrey, the media mogul, talk show host and philanthropist, uses her left hand to sign autographs.
- Prince William, the Prince of Wales, is left-handed. This was first brought to the public’s attention when he was photographed signing a book on his first day at Eton.
- Some former United States’ presidents favour their left hand: Presidents Obama, Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Reagan and Ford, Truman, Hoover and Garfield.
- Left-handed actresses and musicians include Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Jessica Sarah Parker, David Bowie, Phil Collins, Tom Cruise, Seth Rogen, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and Lady Gaga.
