Is it normal for my toddler to favour one hand...

Is it normal for my toddler to favour one hand, or one side of his body?

It’s perfectly normal for toddlers to favour a particular hand, when drawing, scribbling, or eating. You may even notice that your child favours a specific foot too, or any other part of the body. That’s also perfectly normal, and everyone has these kinds of instinctive preference.

However, if you notice that your child seems completely reluctant to use a particular limb or even unable to, you should speak to your paediatrician. It could be hemiplegia, which is a form of cerebral palsy that affects the use of one side of the body.

If your child is diagnosed with hemiplegia, which usually appears before the age of two, then your doctor will be able to recommend treatment. This will probably include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, to ensure that the muscles on the unfavoured side of the body are able to do what they need to do.

This condition can range from mild to severe, but more severe cases are usually diagnosed earlier, and the sooner you seek treatment, the sooner your child will begin to cope better.

More questions

Our little one is in preschool. Is this a good time to get a family dog?

There is no right or wrong age to get a family dog; however, you should be mindful of your situation before you rush into things.

My toddler is drooling and having trouble eating. Should I worry?

Drooling and difficulty eating can be associated with normal toddler behaviour, illness or sensory processes.

When does separation and independence occur in a child?

Up to the age of three, your toddler will be over separation anxiety. However, as there are so many separations in the years of growing up – pre-school, a few days away at camp, and even your child’s first year at college, bouts of separation anxiety could very well occur from time to time all through your child’s life.

How can I ensure that my toddler’s motor development is on track?

As long as your toddler has plenty of space and time to play, and practice all their new physical skills, they’re probably doing just fine with her development!

How can I make sure that my child stays curious and interested in the world around him?

Toddlers are naturally curious about everything. Instead of stifling that curiosity, you should be making every effort to promote it!

Encouraging imagination and creativity: how do I do it?

Your child’s imagination is not only a source of fun – it’s one of his or her most important early learning tools.

I want my child to be in touch with her emotions. How can I ensure that she grows up that way?

Young children are emotional beings. The worst thing you can do is make them stifle those emotions. Teach them how to cope with them instead, and you’ll raise a well-adjusted child.

Encouraging spirituality: how can I make sure that my child grows up with a spiritual foundation?

If you want your child to grow up with a strong spiritual foundation, it’s never too young to start teaching, but remember to teach by example.