The development of hand preference in children: The effect of task demands and links with manual dexterity

Lateralisation of hand preference and manual dexterity are known to develop over childhood, while in
adulthood strength of hand preference has been shown to interact with extrinsic task demands. Some
evidence exists to suggest that strength of hand preference and motor skill may be related. In the current
study a handedness inventory, midline crossing (QHP) and peg-moving tasks were used to investigate:
(1) the development of hand preference between 4 and 11 years; (2) whether extrinsic task demands
affect strength of hand preference, and (3) whether strength of hand preference was associated with
manual dexterity. Younger children (4–5 years) showed weak hand preference in comparison to older
children (8–11 years), and extrinsic task demands influenced willingness to cross the body’s midline with
the preferred hand. Age and peg-moving speed were associated with midline crossing in certain task conditions. Overall, results suggest a coupling between manual dexterity and brain maturation in typical
development.