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Are there any differences in how left-handed writers write in maths?

Left-handed writers comprise 10% of the population. But should they be doing their maths work any differently than a right-handed writer?

For left handed writers, this is one of those yes and no type of answers.

The key difference is about something called ‘push’ and ‘pull’. A right-handed writer pushes a pencil away from the left to the right-hand side. To avoid smudging the work a left-handed writer will find it easier to pull a pencil. This will also help them see what they are doing. You may know of this technique when writing in the printed script or when writing capital letters, such as H, F, and T.

Forming a mark on the page by using this pulling technique should happen with numbers in maths as well. Some numbers are easier to write in a completely different direction. These numbers are 4, 5, 7 and eight. See the diagram below for guidance. For numbers 4, 5 and 7 the horizontal line is different. When writing the number 8, it starts in a clock wise direction going down to the bottom and then going back up to the top.

*Some left-handed writers are never shown this and still produce readable writing. If your child is learning to write their numbers, using this approach shown in the diagram may be helpful. If your child is smudging their work, try this technique. But, if your child is happy with how they are forming their numbers, they shouldn’t be changing it.

Knowing how to write the numbers is just the start.

It is important to know where to position your hand. What we are trying to avoid is that the wrist hooks around to the right when someone is writing. Here are two ways to help. Firstly, by angling the paper. The top left-hand corner of the page needs to be higher than the top right-hand corner. Ideally, the paper should line up with their forearm. Yet I do know of some left-handed writers who find writing “up-hill’ of help. This is when the paper has the top right-hand corner higher up than expected. They are writing with the baseline at an 80 angle. The second tip is to hold their pen about 2 to 3 cm away from the tip. A right handed writer will hold it 1 to 1.5cm away from the tip* This will help them to see what they are writing.

*In my experience, many left-handed writers do not know this. If this is your child, it is better that they continue in the position that is comfortable for them. Trying something new can cause them to lose pen control skills.

When writing mathematical symbols left handed writers should follow the same rules.

It is easier sometimes to go from a right to a left direction. This happens with a minus symbol plus divide and times. There are two ways in which to write a fraction. This can be either with a diagonal line or with a horizontal line. Again a left-handed writer may prefer to start at the top and go either down or across to the left. See the diagram below.

There are a variety of left-handed writer tools that can help in Maths.

The primary aim is to help the writer see what they are measuring. Helpful tools can be rulers, protractors, and set squares. All made for the left-handed writer. These can make drawing a line with accuracy or determining an angle easier. They work with the concept that the writer is going to be drawing from the right to the left position. These are available from most online shops.

One extra thing to bear in mind is where a student is sitting in the classroom. Being left-handed, they will find it more comfortable to sit at the end of a desk. This is so that their elbow is not butting against a right-handed writer.

Is your child left-handed? Looking for handwriting lessons? < here.

I hope this helps all our left-handed writers out there.

P.S. I am a right-handed writer. All this advice has come from a left-handed writer who has kindly shared how they are able to form legible numbers with ease.

Written by Sheilagh Blyth MSc OT (Hons)

Sheilagh is the founder of Help with Handwriting, a children's occupational therapist, handwriting expert and author.
Her and the team at Help with Handwriting help kids across the world have lightbulb moments about their handwriting. Showing them how to make improvements and giving them back their self confidence to have readable handwriting.

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