Q:During the holiday season, I’d like to help my preschooler learn that it’s not just about receiving gifts, but also about spending time together as a family and giving to others. Are there any community activities that would welcome parents with young children and help promote these goals?

A:If you are looking to make the holidays more meaningful, there are a variety of fun community activities that are appropriate for families with young children.

First, there are some excellent local events perfect for families with preschoolers.

For those who are musically inclined, St. Andrew’s Church, at 208 W. Foster Ave. in State College, offers preschoolers a chance to dance to their own beat in a program called Musikgarten.

It’s free to register for the program and attend one class. Classes run through out the holiday season. For more information, visit www.Musikgarten.org/ bethasmusik. If your family loves stories, check out Barnes and Noble’s Story Time, at 365 Benner Pike. Story times begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Make sure to arrive early to get some cocoa from the adjoining cafe, sample cookies and get a good spot in the story circle.

First Night State College is always a fun event for children of all ages. On Saturday, preschoolers and their families can “ring” in the new year and marvel at ice sculptures throughout the downtown area.

Another First Night activity that preschoolers will really love is marching in the papier mache puppet parade beginning at 6:30 p.m. Preschoolers will also enjoy bopping to the family friendly songs of Billy Kelly and The Blah Blah Blahs at 3 p.m. at the University Baptist and Brethren Church at 411 S. Burrowes St.

Attendance at all three First Night events is free. For more information, visit www.firstnightstatecollege.com. As to your second goal, of developing the habit of giving to others, here are some ideas:

Spend time with your child reading books focused on the importance of giving such as “The Grinch that Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss, “The Rainbow Fish,” by Marcus Pfister or “The Giving Tree,” by Shel Silverstein. All of these books and more are available at local libraries.

Set up an afternoon of cookies and caroling. Help your preschooler decorate cookies to give with a special holiday wish to neighbors or friends. Ready-made dough and icing make the experience stress-free and fun. Nothing goes better with homemade cookies than a rousing rendition of “Jingle Bells” by some of the neighborhood’s little carolers.

At First Night, suggest that your children think of someone in need whom they know personally, write a wish for him or her and place it on one of several “resolution sculptures.”

Remember that the best gift your child can receive is quality time with loving parents. Any activity you and your child enjoy and do together is sure to make lasting holiday memories. Adding the element of giving to others into those activities sets a positive tone and creates habits for a lifetime.

Melissa Clark is an attorney with the law firm of Schemery-Zicolello in Williamsport and a member of the board of directors of Smart Start-Centre County. For the Children is a monthly column in which Smart Start-Centre County taps into its network of early childhood experts to answer your questions. To submit a question, write to Executive Director Eileen Wise at eileen@smartstartcc.org. Visit www.smartstartcc.org for information.