You can usually start to see signs of a baby's handedness around 18 months of age. By this time, most babies will show a preference for using one hand over the other for tasks like reaching, grasping, and playing.
However, it's important to remember that handedness develops gradually. A baby may show a preference for one hand at 18 months, but this doesn't necessarily mean they'll be exclusively left- or right-handed for life.
Here are some additional points to consider:
- Early Signs: You might notice a baby favoring one hand as early as 6 months old, but this is not a definitive indicator of handedness.
- Development: A child's handedness usually becomes more established between the ages of 2 and 4.
- Ambidextrous: Some children are ambidextrous, meaning they can use both hands equally well.
While handedness is often established early, it's a natural developmental process that can vary slightly from child to child.