MAMA'S BOY

Sociologists at Ferrum College in Virginia studied the long-term benefits of good mother-son bonds and discovered qualities that make a man a great mate.

According to the study, cited in Prevention magazine, a man who loves his mom, wants to make her proud and feels she understands his needs makes the best boyfriend or husband.

Why? Mom taught him to express feelings and trust women, so he's likely to be affectionate and romantic and communicate well.

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THIS LITTLE PIGGY …

If you're familiar with "This Little Piggy," Where is Thumbkin?" and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," then you know at least a few fingerplays.

Fingerplays - short poems or songs paired with physical movements - help children develop manual dexterity, listening and memory skills, language, number concepts and more. And they're fun.

If you'd like new and different fingerplays to try with your children or grandchildren, check the Internet. One good source is an extensive list compiled by the National Network for Child Care, at www.nncc.org/Curriculum/fingerplay.html.

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HOMEWORK HASSLES

Parents who work outside the home may have a harder time making sure their child is focusing on his studies after school. Parents magazine suggests these ways to stay in the loop:

-If possible, make an after-school phone date each day to talk with your child about her assignments.

-If your child is in an after-school program, have him do at least some of his homework there.

-See whether you can arrange your work schedule so that you can get home a little earlier one or two nights a week.

-Set aside a few minutes when you get home to look over your child's homework.

© 2004, The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kan.).
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.