School Supplies for Left-Handed Kids... I have a few questions =)

[mrseace711]

I have 2 left-handed kiddos, that have done okay with right handed school supplies but struggled with small things like pencil sharpners. I just want to help them a little more.

-What are the basics that would make schoolwork a little easier?

-Special items for school that would be nice?

-Any stores that I can go to and buy like office supply stores?

-Any tips?

Online stores have pretty pricey shipping I want to surprise my oldest left-hander that will be in 5th Grade this year with some items catered to her =)

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Do a Google search for left handed stores - many items are available.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I am left handed and hate how my hand rests on the wire of a spiral notebook, I like the ones that have the wire at the top.

http://www.officemax.com/office-supplies/notebooks-pads/spiral-notebooks/product-prod2850030

 

[mrseace711]

I am left handed and hate how my hand rests on the wire of a spiral notebook, I like the ones that have the wire at the top.

http://www.officemax.com/office-supplies/notebooks-pads/spiral-notebooks/product-prod2850030

Thank you I had not thought about that! DD10 takes her paper out to write, this would really be helpful!

Ive searched online but again the online stores which maybe 2 of them were here in the US all had high shipping rates IMO, I even checked amazon.com & e-bay.

 

[KAPTink]

I also have two leftys. I am not a lefty. I bought an electric pencil sharpener for home (~$20), because that was tough. Sprial notebooks with either right side spiral or top sprial are good. Instead of a 'trapper' type binder, we go with a zippered multipocket folder...no 3 ring part in the way of turning though folders. Most scissors now can cut either r or l handed, so no problem there. Other than that, we just muddle through, or learn as a righty...there are no lefty musical instruments for band, lol.

Do you have a United Art and Education store near you? They can be a good resource. Also, many of our local stores have some of these items only seasonally...keep your eye out in the next few weeks. Our Wal-mart, in particular is like that. One day they have it, then it's gone.

 

[mrseace711]

I also have two leftys. I am not a lefty. I bought an electric pencil sharpener for home (~$20), because that was tough. Sprial notebooks with either right side spiral or top sprial are good. Instead of a 'trapper' type binder, we go with a zippered multipocket folder...no 3 ring part in the way of turning though folders. Most scissors now can cut either r or l handed, so no problem there. Other than that, we just muddle through, or learn as a righty...there are no lefty musical instruments for band, lol.

Do you have a United Art and Education store near you? They can be a good resource. Also, many of our local stores have some of these items only seasonally...keep your eye out in the next few weeks. Our Wal-mart, in particular is like that. One day they have it, then it's gone.

Multipocket adding that to the list with sissors, and top spiral notebooks. And maybe an electric pencil sharpener

We do have a United Art and Education store it was intimidating I have never been inside, I will go this weekend! Thank you.

I feel bad I did not step in sooner with left handed supplies =/

 

[KY*Figment]

I have 2 left-handed kiddos, that have done okay with right handed school supplies but struggled with small things like pencil sharpners. I just want to help them a little more.

-What are the basics that would make schoolwork a little easier?

-Special items for school that would be nice?

-Any stores that I can go to and buy like office supply stores?

-Any tips?

Online stores have pretty pricey shipping I want to surprise my oldest left-hander that will be in 5th Grade this year with some items catered to her =)

Do you get a choice? Our school list is VERY specific so I cannot buy my left 10yo dd school supplies for a left handed children. She always has pencil or ink on the side of her hand.

 

[furb & dez]

As a lefty, I can tell you to beware of really poorly manufactured "left-handed" equipment (scissors, I'm looking at you...). Sometimes it's better to simply use the standard stuff.

 

[twinmommyks]

I am left handed and hate how my hand rests on the wire of a spiral notebook, I like the ones that have the wire at the top.

http://www.officemax.com/office-supplies/notebooks-pads/spiral-notebooks/product-prod2850030

DS16 complains about the spiral on the left hand side notebook too. Prefers top bound ones too!

 

[mrseace711]

The spirals on DD10s notebooks are always bent and notebooks falling apart. Ive dealt with pencil smears and pen smears on her white uniform shirts for the last 2 years. Spiral notebooks are required I was thinking I could get away with a top spiral notebook with the 3 hole punch, but $3 and up for 1 notebook I was hoping to buy in bulk.

 

[Nicolepa]

Personally, I wouldn't waste $$ on left handed supplies. It's really best to just learn to get along in a right hand world.

As for spiral notebooks, if I'm only going to write on one side I just flip the book around and start from the back. If you are going to use both sides it doesn't matter if you are right or left anded, 50% of te time the spiral is in te way.

For pens, try different brands some don't smear or not as badly. Stay away frm gel pens, those are horrible.

 

[AliceNWonderland]

I have purchased lefty items for students, it's easier for them and that's my bottom line. I order them online and find the notebooks, pencils (no smear) and other items to be worth it.

 

[LJSquishy]

I am also left handed but I don't see a real need for special supplies. I am not understanding you on them having difficulty with pencil sharpeners...it doesn't matter what hand you hold it in, it will sharpen a pencil.

Left-handed scissors are horrible.

The only real beneficial lefty item would be a spiral notebook, but honestly, they should be able to adapt just fine. It really isn't that bad.

Actually, even lefty spiral notebooks are pointless. If you end up writing on the back side of a page, you end up flipping the notebook (page still attached) which moves the spiral to the other side. So, really no point.

Save your money.

 

[cornflake]

Non-smeary pens. Non-smeary pens. Non-smeary pens. Non-smeary pens. Non-smeary pens. Non-smeary pens. Non-smeary pens. Non-smeary pens.

I think the spiral top/side thing depends on the TYPE of lefty you are. I've got a serious hook and thus turn paper like a full 90 degrees sideways so the top is actually more irritating, as my hand is always there.

You can eliminate the entire thing with composition type books and other differently bound things, but type of lefty matters more than just 'lefty.'

I know lefties who write from underneath, like righties, ones with just a moderate tilt all the way to full hook and different things are irritating.

The sharpener thing is the same as the vegetable peeler thing - some only have a blade on the one side AND the way the thing is designed, a lefty has to hold it upside down or backwards to have the blade in the correct place. Some are universal and it doesn't matter.

Aside from the non-smeary pens, which are really an issue for the hooked, scissors are important (I used to get giant welts before I got lefthanded ones) and ruled things (rulers, measuring cups, etc.) are nice to have on the correct side so you're not always twisting or looking upside down.

Also, in a general sense, please to not buy left-handed people right-handed mugs (those with a design visible only if you're holding the mug in your right hand) - design repeated on both sides or around the whole cup please.

 

[Sadie22]

I am left handed and hate how my hand rests on the wire of a spiral notebook, I like the ones that have the wire at the top.

http://www.officemax.com/office-supplies/notebooks-pads/spiral-notebooks/product-prod2850030

DS did that for about a year. Then he decided to turn his regular (with the side binding) notebooks slightly, and he had no more problems. He never acquired the awkward hand position some lefties use, always keeping his hand straight, just reversed from the way a rightie does it. Twenty-odd years later, he still has very neat handwriting and printing.

He did reject a college where most of the left-handed desks were broken. There were other reasons, but that was something he noticed.

 

[Nicolepa]

I am also left handed but I don't see a real need for special supplies. I am not understanding you on them having difficulty with pencil sharpeners...it doesn't matter what hand you hold it in, it will sharpen a pencil.

Save your money.

I don't understand the problem with pencil sharpeners either? Even when I was younger I don't remember that being a problem.

As for non-smearing pens, my current favorite are Pentel RSVP. They go on sale a lot @ Staples for $2 a pack (I think 5 in a pack.)

 

[memy26]

I am also left handed but I don't see a real need for special supplies. I am not understanding you on them having difficulty with pencil sharpeners...it doesn't matter what hand you hold it in, it will sharpen a pencil.

Left-handed scissors are horrible.

The only real beneficial lefty item would be a spiral notebook, but honestly, they should be able to adapt just fine. It really isn't that bad.

Actually, even lefty spiral notebooks are pointless. If you end up writing on the back side of a page, you end up flipping the notebook (page still attached) which moves the spiral to the other side. So, really no point.

Save your money.

I'm a lefty also, and I'm also not getting it. I've never had any issues with a pencil sharpener or notebooks. Yes sometimes I do end up with ink smeared on my hand but it really isn't that big of a deal

 

[Kathi OD]

Another lefty, who also happened to give birth to 2 lefties. I'm not understanding the need for all the "special" left-handed equipment.

The only thing I ever found irritating was trying to write while the paper was in a 3-ring binder. Just take the paper out while you're writing and put it back in when you're finished. As for left-handed scissors, unless you're willing to spend quite a bit, they aren't worth it.

FWIW, I've never had a problem using a handheld pencil sharpener. In fact, I almost always prefer a handheld to an electric sharpener.

 

[allison443]

I will have to ask my left handed daughter how she made it all the way through elementary school, high school, and college without special left handed supplies!! I never bought her any special items except I think scissors occasionally and that's the only one I ever heard of anyone using. (We always had an electric sharpener so I never even realized a hand-held one could be a problem.)

 

[dontthrowsand]

Scissors are the only thing I bought special (now I don't really care because I can use my right hand just as well).

Notebooks I would just flip the other way so I would write from back to front. None of my teachers cared. I hate writing in binders so I would take my paper out. I still do now that I generally write with my right hand because it is easier.