Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Charleston, SC

"It's better to give than to receive."  Well, try telling that to a preschooler overwhelmed by toy catalogs and wish lists for the holidays.  It's natural for children to be egocentric in the preschool years (and I know more than a few adults who struggle with it still!) but it's our job as parents to gently coax them away from the "Me Me Me!" stage and into a mindset where giving and sharing are necessary parts of their social landscape.


The question, of course, is how to best do that.  And, as with so many preschool lessons, one good path is to model the behavior and provide the opportunity for them to follow suit.  Children pay attention.  They notice what you do and how you treat others.  If you want to raise a child who gives back to the community, you need to do so yourself.

During the holiday season, there are more than enough opportunities to demonstrate giving.  Here are some local options, with hope that the generosity of this season will carry into the new year!

• Select a child from a Salvation Army angel tree and buy Christmas gifts for him or her, allowing your child to participate in the selection.  Another option is to select a new toy to donate to Toys for Tots. 
• Bake cookies together and deliver them around the neighborhood.  (You'll be shocked at how much this surprises people.  We went door to door giving away cupcakes, and people kept trying to pay us for the sweets!)
  
• Go on a walk with your children and take some trash bags.  Clean up the neighborhood together!
• Make a meal for someone who might need it (someone who might have experienced a loss, have difficulty getting to the store, or who is welcoming a new baby!)  Take your children with you when you deliver it, if appropriate.
  
• Sort through the toy collection at your house with your child.  Help her make decisions about giving some items to charity.
• Purchase extra non-perishable items and donate them to the local food bank.  You can see a list of food drives for the Lowcountry Food Bank here.
• Look for ways to use your time and talents.  VolunteerMatch.org has plenty of postings for volunteers in the Charleston area.