Hand selection for role-differentiated bimanual manipulation in a beading task: An assessment of typically developing children

Role-differentiated bimanual manipulation (RDBM) is observed in many daily tasks. The preferred hand manipulates the object, whereas the nonpreferred hand stabilizes it. In this study, RDBM was assessed in 3- to 12-year-olds and young adults with a beading task. The number of trials where participants selected the preferred hand to grasp the thread and the number of hand switches (from thread to bead, or vice versa) in each trial (two beads/trial, six trials total) were recorded. No differences in the number of trials where the preferred hand was selected to grasp the thread emerged; however, 5- to 6- and 7- to 9-year-olds displayed fewer hand switches than all other participants. Findings are attributed to differences in beading strategies between 3- to 4-, 5- to 9-, and 10- to 12-year-olds that likely reflect changes in the development of handedness and control strategies. Future work with kinematic measures is recommended to discern developmental changes in bimanual control. Highlights Hand selection patterns of typically developing 3- to 12-year-olds and young adults were assessed in beading. No differences in hand selection emerged; however, differences in the number of hand switches were found in 5- to 6- and 7- to 9-year-olds. Findings are attributed to differences in beading strategies between 3- to 4-, 5- to 9-, and 10- to 12-year-olds that likely reflect changes in the development of handedness, and control strategies.