At what age do children typically begin to exhibit hand dominance?

Children typically begin to exhibit hand dominance around the age of 2 to 3 years. At this stage of development, many children start to show preferences for using one hand over the other for tasks such as eating with utensils or drawing. This preference may be evident as they begin to consistently choose one hand when reaching for objects or engaging in activities that require fine motor skills.

While some children might demonstrate signs of hand dominance slightly earlier, the age range of 2 to 3 years is widely recognized in pediatric development norms. As children grow, their hand dominance may become more pronounced and consistent, often solidifying around the ages of 4 to 5 years. Therefore, recognizing and understanding the typical age range for the emergence of hand dominance is essential for monitoring and assessing a child's developmental milestones.