Have you heard of anyone who used both hands to write? In fact, to write different languages and subjects? Well, you got to believe, a local school in a village is helping students to practice both handwriting skills. This is called ambidextrous. One possible benefit of being ambidextrous is improving communication between our left and right brain hemispheres which might improve creative and abstract thinking.
Einstein is often cited as an example of unusual brain development. He was observed to be right-handed, but his brain hemispheres were nearly symmetrical which is the case in some left-handed and all ambidextrous persons. Other examples are Tesla and DaVinci, both ambidextrous/left-handed and both considered creative geniuses.
Veena Vadini School Of Singrauli in India, located in a rural area founded by VP Sharma, a former soldier claims he was inspired by the first president Rajendra Prasad (in office from 1950 to 1996) who was ambidextrous and wanted to give it a try.
He started a small school in a rural area, which is in his native village in 1999 to provide education to low-income families. This local school in India has gained massive attention over the fact that all 300 students are ambidextrous. Hardly one child in a million is ambidextrous.
How does he do it?
He begins training students from Standard 1 and by standard 3, they start getting the hang of being comfortable to write using both hands. When they move to Standard 4 and 5, students have perfected the art of using both hands and writes with speed and accuracy. To add, they can write two scripts simultaneously, one with each hand, including several languages.
VP Sharma encourages his students by timing them. For every 45 minutes, a 15 minute to be devoted to handwriting practice ensuring that every student develops the ability to write with both hands. He is a firm believer that skills enable his students to learn multiple languages and has them practice writing the same words in different languages at the same time.
VP Sharma has become a well-known teacher around India for his timely methodical ways to teach students to practice ambidextrous.
That’s pretty awesome. I had no idea you could teach ambidexterity. I thought you were just born with it.
I wonder why this hasn’t caught on in the States–seems like a great way to get children to become more intellectual thinkers. Here, we think the way to do that is tests!
I’ve always been fascinated by anyone with this skill/ability! I wish I could study under him and learn!
Interesting stuff. So fun to learn something new.
I wish I had such teacher! i am ambidextrous and I often feel like I can do more. I often joke that having no ‘lead’ hand I use both of them equally bad. This post shows how right I am
i didnt know this could be taught! I thought you were just born with the ability. this is awesome!
Amazing. I didn’t know that one can learn Ambidexterity. It’s really cool that someone is teaching it.
What an interesting article. I had no idea you could learn this.
As one who is ambi, I am fascinated. This is amazing!
I didn’t know about him though I’m from India! He’s an inspiration and a role model. We need more people like him.
That would be a useful trait in the teaching business. Kids can really relate to you no matter what hand you use.
This is so fascinating! It’s incredible that the students are exposed to that kind of education at a young age.
This is an interesting concept. My brother can do this but never considered you could be taught.
I am ambidextrous, myself. I picked it up when I was about 10 years old and broke my right hand (my main hand) and couldn’t hold a pen or pencil for my school work. It’s a great skill to have.
This is really interesting!! Just like Stacie mentioned below, it does seem like something that most people are born with when they have the skill. When I was young I always tried writing with both hands, I thought it was cool lol
Oh wow, This seems to really interesting to learn. Looks like it as so hard learning how to write using both hands.