Foot Laterality in Four-Year-Olds

Abstract

This study examined the lateral foot preferences of 153 4-yr.-olds by systematic presentation of three foot dominance tasks. The foot behavior indicated that 46% of the sample preferred use of the right foot, 50% were of mixed dominance, and 4% exhibited left-footedness. Speculation that footedness may be established at an earlier age than handedness was not supported by this study. It also appears that between 4 and 5 yr. of age may be a critical period in the development of foot laterality.