Programs : Family Reading
A New Chapter for Family Engagement
Family Reading programs are not only about sharing stories. They are about inspiring families to read, think, discuss, and learn together through exploring big ideas in children’s literature.
Held at public libraries, schools, museums, and other eligible youth-serving organizations, Prime Time Family Reading programs have served thousands of families throughout the state since the program launched in 2014. To serve a broad range of families, programming is available in two different formats: Prime Time Family Reading and Prime Time Preschool, both of which are offered in English and/or Spanish.
“Prime Time Family Reading has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences I’ve had in the ten years I’ve been a librarian.”
– Librarian, Pierce County
Prime Time Family Reading
Prime Time Family Reading serves six- to ten-year-old children and their families. During six, weekly sessions, 15 to 25 families share a meal, read stories together, and talk about big ideas such as compassion, truth, justice, and empathy. During this time, families bond and children become better readers and thinkers.
Prime Time Preschool
Prime Time Preschool serves three- to five-year-old children and their families. During six, weekly sessions, 10 to 15 families share a meal and engage in age-appropriate story sharing, discussion, and play-based humanities-centered learning activities. During this time children become more prepared to enter school, and their caregivers learn valuable skills for supporting their children’s development.
Prime Time is proven to positively impact families and children.
95%
increased the amount of time they read together
93%
experienced a positive change in their attitudes toward reading
97%
Contact Us
For more information about Prime Time, please contact our Prime Time Team, at [email protected] or 206-682-1770 ext. 104.
Support
Prime Time is made possible with the support of many businesses, foundations, and individuals, including the State of Washington via the Office of the Secretary of State, Safeco Foundation/Liberty Mutual Foundation, Fordham Street Foundation, BNSF Railway Foundation, Tulalip Tribes Charitable Foundation, KING5/TEGNA Foundation, D.V. and Ida McEachern Charitable Trust, and the Stocker Foundation. Prime Time Family Reading Time was developed by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.