Hand Preference as Related to Development and Behavior in Infancy

Abstract

55 healthy infants were assessed for their developmental and behavioral patterns at the age of 9 mo. Hand preference was assessed at 20 mo. of age. The distribution of hand preference showed 12 were right-handed, 11 left-handed and 23 ambidextrous. This distribution appears shifted more to the left than that reported for older children. Although their data were based on different tests not appropriate for 9-mo.-old infants ambidexterity appeared to reflect part of the hand-preference continuum. No significant relationship between hand preference and developmental attainments was noted. Perhaps a larger sample would provide a clear developmental behavioral pattern and hand preference in infancy.