While left-handers are often seen as rare – about 10–12% of the world’s population navigate life with their left hand –  they bring a range of fascinating abilities and perspectives.

In a right-handed world, left-handers always stand out. 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. Left-handers often have a more developed right hemisphere – 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

Using your non-dominant hand – left for right-handers and vice versa – can have significant cognitive benefits, say the experts. 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.

Being a leftie is pretty cool!

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 to reach their full potential.

Find out more about neuroplasticity here.

left-handers and education

Teaching left-handed children writing skills can be challenging. Desks and writing tools are typically designed for right-handed use,  leading to discomfort and can even hinder academic performance. However, with a few adjustments, educators can create a more inclusive environment to supports left-handed learners. These include:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Cutting: teaching left-handers to cut in a clockwise direction (right-handers cut anti-clockwise).
5. 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.

Writing instruments and products and tools ideal for left-handers, including scissors, pens and notebooks, are now more easily available. Consumers can find a range of products specifically designed to cater to left-handed users.

embracing uniqueness

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.

Did you know?

• Hand preference is often determined before birth and has a genetic component.
• The percentage of recognised left-handers has increased as it becomes more socially accepted, rising from as low as 2% in the 19th century. 

Read more about being left-handed in our articles, The Left-handed Child and Left of Centre.

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 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.