5 Key Skills to Boost Your Child’s Focus and Hand Strength

A mother has an important responsibility in supporting her child’s physical and cognitive development. This responsibility can be divided into several steps. She helps her child develop muscle strength and motor skills, which involve controlling both the upper and lower parts of the body and using all four limbs. The second key aspect is nurturing the child’s intelligence, as developing skills is impossible without a suitable level of cognitive ability. Intelligence serves as the key to concentration and task performance.

Mothers can learn from the experiences of other mothers who have gone through parenthood. For example, family guidance expert Maha Dawood shared insights on simple activities that help children improve focus and hand strength. One mother described teaching her child five skills that enhance both focus and hand muscles:

1. Putting on shoes independently

At around 18 months, children can start learning to put on shoes by themselves. Shoes should be easy to wear—preferably slip-ons without laces. This skill helps the child differentiate between left and right, maintain balance, and strengthen hand muscles through the pushing motion used to put the foot inside.

2. Using a spoon to eat independently

Mothers should encourage their children to hold a spoon and feed themselves. This helps develop focus, hand-eye coordination, and independence. The child learns to scoop food without spilling and bring it to the mouth steadily.

3. Peeling bananas and eggs

This skill helps children coordinate their hands and minds. Learning to peel a banana or egg without breaking it requires concentration and repeated practice, which strengthens hand muscles and enhances fine motor control.

4. Wiping their mouth with a tissue

This task involves two steps: gripping the tissue, which strengthens hand muscles, and pressing it to clean the mouth. It helps the child gain independence while also understanding personal hygiene and developing sensory awareness.

5. Closing a water bottle

By around 18 months, children can start learning to open and close bottles. This requires gripping, aligning the cap, and twisting it, which strengthens hand muscles and improves focus.

Additional Guidelines:

• Avoid electronic devices: Children should be kept away from tablets and electronic screens until at least age three, as these can negatively affect focus, intelligence, and fine motor development.

• Provide brain-boosting foods: Introduce foods rich in essential vitamins and minerals, such as fatty fish and raw nuts, which support cognitive development. Check blood tests for iron and vitamin D levels, and use supplements only under pediatric supervision.

By following these simple steps, mothers can help their children develop physical strength, cognitive skills, and independence from an early age.