At what age do children usually start to prefer one hand over another (handedness)?

Children typically begin to show a preference for one hand over the other around the age of 3 years. This is a part of their development as they start to engage in more complex motor tasks that require fine motor skills, such as drawing or using utensils. By this age, they may consistently reach for objects or perform tasks with one hand, indicating a natural inclination towards handedness.

While some children may exhibit some hand preference earlier, around 2 years, it is not until approximately 3 years that a more definitive preference is observed. At ages 1 and 2, children are still developing their gross and fine motor skills, and hand preference is often not evident or consistent. By age 4, most children have established their dominant hand, making 3 the typical age when this preference begins to solidify.