Linkshandiges- Lefthanders

A word about famous left-handers – Leonardo Da Vinci

Isebell Gauche (5 May 2009)

Leonardo most probably would also have fallen into the ADD category if he lived today. Unlike the artists of his time who could work on one project for years and stay focussed, Leonardo’s mind constantly wondered. Many of his projects were abandoned for something else that caught his attention. He could be labelled “scatter brain” – something many left-handers are familiar with.

Words like dreamer, unpredictable, and weird could describe him. He didn’t write in the conventional left to right manner. Mirror writing however, was not a rebellious streak, something many left-handers are also accused of, but a more comfortable and natural way for him to get his thoughts onto paper.

It was his curiosity with the world around him, which made him such an excellent scholar of life. Apart from the many astonishing artworks, which he did manage to finish, he also explored areas such as science, mathematics, the universe, aviation, and more. He was a keen observer and if not for his traits which at the time could have been perceived as negative, many valuable science discoveries would not have been possible. He explored areas others did not even consider. He visualized and what could have been perceived as far fetched was simply ahead of his time.

How does this relate to the modern day left-hander?

Well for one, many left-handers are branded as dreamers and scatter brains, unable to complete tasks because they get caught up in new ideas. Left-handers are still explorers of areas where the more logical and rule orientated will not dare to go. Some of the ideas may seem far fetched for the moment, but wait and see how ideas become inspirations and eventually reality.

If you have a left-hander in your class, instead of branding them because they don’t quite think the same way as right-handers; appreciate their unique way of experiencing life. Help them to channel their natural curiosity and creativity into short projects. Don’t get bogged down in detail. Let them fill in the gaps. They want to and although it may not seem logical to not work from point A to Z, but rather doing B, P, Z, then A etc. it is simply another way of getting to the solution. Even though it may seem unorganized, the left-hander has a unique way of connecting concepts and blocks of knowledge to form the big picture and some amazing solutions.

Their way of writing may also be awkward, but alas! do not attempt to change it. Studies have shown that even in the DNA it can be seen whether a person is left or right handed. It is thus a built-in trait, meaning another way of reasoning. It is not something that can be changed. Although the outward appearance can be changed by changing the hand, all that will happen is confusion for the child and it will do nothing to change the thought pattern of the child.

The left hander is not automatic dyslexic if they turn letters around or write backwards – please! Think about it, they have to change their natural thought process to work and live in a right-hander’s world. It will sometimes take time for the left handed child to stop turning letters around or to write in the conventional way.

It is no coincidence that some of the greatest minds in world’s history were left-handers. In fact their unique way of perceiving the world and knowledge gave them the edge. Celebrate their contribution to society and your class. It may also be no coincidence that there is only a small percentage of left-handers in the world. The world needs logical right-handers able to work in a sequence, but the small number of left-handers is the people who help right-handers to think outside the box and see the world form a different angle.

Learn more about left-handers in the e-book "Die Reg om Links te Wees" by Isebell Gauche.