A Relic of a Bygone Era

BSM went in for a developmental check-up last week. These are normal Israeli things that happen periodically until the age of 6, or so.

The doctor asked me about his verbal and social skills, and also asked what his daycare provider thinks of his developmental progress. Being a clever doctor, she didn't ask BSM to demonstrate any of his verbal skills, because she doesn't expect two-and-a-half-year olds to talk to strangers. Instead, the doctor gave him a box of blocks and asked him to build a tower, and then put down some paper and a pencil and asked him to draw something.

With his right hand still holding the box of blocks (he'd already put the blocks away, oddly neat child that he is), BSM picked up the pencil with his left hand and put it to the paper. "Wait, wait," said the doctor. She took everything out of his hands, lay the pencil back on the desk, and asked, "Now what hand do you use to pick up the pencil?" BSM obediently picked up the pencil in his right hand and drew something. "That's right," the doctor said approvingly.

I understand checking if he's right- or left-handed, as well as making sure that the test for handedness is sound. I just think it's funny that the doctor didn't approve of a child showing signs of being left-handed.