How to Learn Left & Right
Many times, the abstract art of learning to distinguish left from right is addressed in kindergarten. If you do not master the skill by age five, you will have to establish a method for sorting it out on your own as the material will never be presented again. This is unfortunate as this particular ability plays such a critical role in life. Everything from passing a driving test, to following directions, to reading and writing are dictated by our ability to determine directionality. The guide below outlines a few simple suggestions to help you learn your left and your right.
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Instructions
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Hold your hands out in front of you with the palms facing forward. Close your fingers, forming a loose fist. Extend your index fingers so that they are pointing directly up. Extend your thumbs so that they are directed toward each other. The hand that forms the letter "L" is the left.
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Now that you have identified which is which, mark the palms of your hands with "L" and "R." If you'd rather not make a visible mark on your body, wear a particular piece of jewelry, such as a ring, watch, or bracelet on your right side. Remind yourself, as many times as necessary, that you have marked the "right" side. It may be easier to think of left as the "other" side. This simplifies the process by reducing the material that needs to be mastered. With this technique, there is only one direction to learn. It is either "right," or it isn't.
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Quiz yourself throughout the day. When you pick something up, ask yourself, am I holding this in my left hand or my right hand? Look for things that present another chance to practice and reinforce directionality. Which way is the car turning? Which side of the bowl do I set my spoon on? Which wrist do I wear my watch on? Which shoe needs to be re-tied?
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Do the Hokey Pokey. It's a silly song, but the repetition will help to strengthen the connections between the words "left" and "right" and your mental response to which hand, foot, arm, leg or direction is being requested. The more times the connection is made, the faster the response becomes.
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Sort a pile of shoes and gloves or mittens. Gather all the items you can that must be worn on either the left or right in order to fit properly. As you match each with its partner, identify them as "left" or "right."
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Tips & Warnings
To avoid confusion while driving, use nail polish to mark the steering wheel, placing an "R" on the right and an "L" on the left.
