LEWISTON — Thanksgiving was in high gear Wednesday at the YWCA of Central Maine preschool and day care.

The staff in the kitchen was preparing a turkey feast for lunch. Children were in classrooms hearing stories such as “Arthur’s Thanksgiving” and making pilgrim hats. They agreed to take a few minutes to answer questions about the holiday.

Most said they were thankful for family. Specifically, mom topped the list; dad came in second. Turkey got an honorable mention.

“I’m thankful for my mama, my daddy. I’m thankful for the big feast,” said Emily Cole, 6.

Abigail Derosier, 5, said she was thankful for “my mom, my dad, my brother,” and her guinea pig, Buddy. James Wagg, 4, for tigers and turkey. Tyler Montminy, 4, mentioned his sandbox. Takota McBride, 4, is thankful for his toys.

Several seemed well-versed in the history of Thanksgiving, especially the Jackson brothers.

Davion Jackson, 10, said the pilgrims “sailed in 1620. They actually were having a hard time, so the Indians helped them out. They were thankful to God for helping them, so they had a big feast.” That feast was in 1621, he said.

His brother, Dylon, 8, recalled that Squanto, a Patuxet Indian, showed the pilgrims how to make corn and catch eels and fish “and stuff like that” with a grass net.

Noah Irish, 10, said the pilgrims came to the new world and met the Indians. “They became friendly, as in they started making friends with each other. They started to hunt turkey, then they decided to do Thanksgiving.”

The overriding theme for kids seemed to be food.

Austin Pratt, 10, said he and his brother help prepare cranberry sauce “and potatoes and more potatoes.” His favorite Thanksgiving dishes are mashed potatoes, gravy and turkey.

Noah said he’ll enjoy the feast at his grandmother’s. “I help out with corn and mashed potatoes.” He backed up his statement by offering instructions. “You peel them, then you put them in, then you smash them.” His mother handles the hot pot, he said. “I put in butter.”

Isaac Bellemore, 4, a chatty little preschooler, isn’t into turkey, stuffing or gravy. His favorite Thanksgiving food: pancakes and grilled cheese.

Noah Norton, 4, said he’ll feast on chicken and broccoli. Payson Turner, 5, said his family will enjoy turkey, squash, tomatoes and cookies. Not just any cookies: Oreos.

Isabella Rosado, 4, said she’ll be eating turkey, chicken and french fries, while Takota McBride, 4, said he’ll eat strawberries and peanut butter and jelly.

At the YWCA on Wednesday, mother Melissa Jackson was doing the cooking in the kitchen.

A golden brown turkey was ready for the feast. Pots of potatoes bubbled on the stove. In the gym, tables were covered with white. Centerpieces were turkeys made of pine cones.

After serving children and staff, Jackson planned to go home and start cooking all over again, she said with a laugh.

Jackson is a mother of five, all boys, ages 14, 11, 10, 8 and 6. Two sons, Davion and Dylon, got out of bed at 4:30 a.m. to help prepare the food at the Y. “I can’t believe they got up,” she said. On Thursday, “they’ll help with the eating part,” she said.

Jackson said she has much to be thankful for. “I’m thankful that the Y is open, that I have a job.”

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