Q:
My grandson is left-handed. It seems impossible to find toys, developmental products and eating utensils designed for the left-handed toddler. When my daughter was a toddler 22 years ago, you could find left-handed eating utensils, safety scissors and the like. Why, in this day and age of stressing developmental skills, are these items not available? Are left-handed children being discriminated against?
A:
Being left-handed does not mean being left out. At Fisher-Price, for example, we test toys on children who are both right- and left-handed—and make every effort to ensure that the toys provide easy access and use. We also offer children's utensils and cups that can be used by both right- and left-handed children. Also, most of the scissors currently made for children are designed for use with either hand. Your grandson is not being discriminated against for being left-handed; it's just that many of today's products are made for either hand, so there are not as many specialized left-handed items as in the past.
Kathleen Alfano Ph.D. Director of Child Research at Fisher-Price®
Our parenting advice is given as suggestions only. We recommend you also consult your healthcare provider, and urge you to contact them immediately if your question is urgent or about a medical condition.
