Why Understanding Yourself & Your Child’s Dominance Matters: Insights from Carla Hannaford’s "The Dominance Factor"
As a pediatric occupational therapist, I often meet parents and educators who are searching for answers about their children’s unique ways of learning and behaving. One child might shine in hands-on projects but falter with reading, while another excels at listening but struggles with physical coordination. These differences can spark confusion and frustration when standard teaching methods don’t seem to fit. This is where the concept of dominance—specifically, the dominance profiles outlined by Carla Hannaford in her transformative book The Dominance Factor—offers a fresh perspective and practical solutions.
The Problem: When Learning Styles Don’t Match Expectations
It’s not uncommon for children to face challenges in school or at home that leave adults puzzled. Perhaps your child resists reading, seems overwhelmed by verbal instructions, or acts out during tasks that seem simple to others. Often, the root of these struggles isn’t a lack of ability but a mismatch between how the child naturally processes information and the methods used to teach or communicate with them.
For example:
Often, we focus on isolated skills—vision, motor control, behavior—but we may miss the bigger picture of how the brain and body work together. When the dominant eye doesn’t align with the dominant hand (or foot or ear), the brain must work harder to coordinate movements, process information, and respond appropriately. This can result in fatigue, frustration, and inconsistent performance, especially in school or during sensory-rich experiences.
Parents and educators may try traditional approaches, only to find they don’t work, leading to a cycle of discouragement. Without understanding why these difficulties arise, it’s easy to misinterpret them as stubbornness or deficits, when in reality, they reflect the child’s unique way of engaging with the world.
The Solution: Unlocking Potential with Dominance Profiles
In The Dominance Factor, Carla Hannaford—a biologist and educator—introduces a game-changing idea: each of us has a dominance profile, a combination of our preferred eye, ear, brain hemisphere, hand, and foot. These preferences shape how we think, learn, and interact. By identifying your child’s dominance profile (and your own!), you can adapt teaching and communication strategies to align with their natural strengths, making learning smoother and more enjoyable.
Hannaford’s approach is both science-based and parent-friendly. She offers simple, non-invasive ways to figure out dominance—like noticing which ear your child turns toward a sound or which hand they use to write. Once you know their profile, you can tailor how you support them. For instance:
- A child with a dominant right ear (linked to the left brain) might excel with step-by-step verbal instructions or logical tasks like math.
- A child with a dominant left eye might grasp concepts better through pictures, charts, or movement-based activities.
The book also includes easy exercises, inspired by techniques like Brain Gym®, to help integrate the brain’s hemispheres. These activities reduce stress—a common barrier to learning—and keep kids in a relaxed, ready-to-learn state. Best of all, you don’t need fancy equipment or training; these are tools any parent can use at home.
Real-Life Impact: A Parent’s Guide
Imagine your child struggles to copy notes from the board. You might discover they’re dominant in their left eye and right hand, making it tricky to coordinate visual input and writing. Armed with this insight, you could suggest they jot down key points in their own way or use a visual aid to ease the process. Or picture a child who resists reading aloud but loves building things. Recognizing their dominance profile might lead you to pair stories with hands-on projects, turning a challenge into a strength.
This isn’t just for kids—understanding your own dominance can transform how you connect with your child. If you’re a logical, left-brain thinker, you might naturally lean toward structured lessons. But if your child is right-brain dominant, they may respond better to creative, big-picture approaches. Adjusting your style can bridge that gap, fostering patience and understanding.
Why It Matters: Beyond the Classroom
The Dominance Factor isn’t about fixing problems—it’s about celebrating how differently we all learn. By honoring your child’s profile, you help them feel valued for who they are, boosting their confidence and curiosity. And as a bonus, exploring your own dominance can improve how you teach, communicate, and even manage stress.
Hannaford’s work reminds us that there’s no single "right" way to learn. In a world that often pushes uniformity, this approach creates space for every child to thrive—whether they’re a dreamer, a doer, or a thinker.
Take the Next Step
If you’ve ever wondered why your child learns differently—or felt stuck with methods that don’t click—I can’t recommend The Dominance Factor enough. As a pediatric occupational therapist, I’ve seen it open doors for families, turning frustration into breakthroughs. Take a moment to observe your child’s habits—which hand they use, how they listen, what excites them—and dive into Hannaford’s book. It’s a small step that could lead to big changes, helping both you and your child navigate life with greater ease and joy.
