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Forty-four Prime Time programs will reach 25 parishes this fall, bringing in-person Prime Time Family Reading and Prime Time Preschool Reading programs to communities all across Louisiana.

A program of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Prime Time programs involve story-sharing around an award-winning children’s book during a weekly session that takes place for six weeks at libraries, schools, churches, community centers and other local sites. Prime Time Family Reading, for ages 6-10, and Prime Time Preschool Reading, for ages 3-5, encourage families to personally connect with literature and each other and think beyond surface considerations of who, what, when, and where – by using open-ended questioning that spurs and encourages rich discussion across generations. For Preschool Reading, hands-on activities are incorporated to keep younger children engaged.

A recent, five-year study found that children who participate in Prime Time Preschool Reading consistently finish preschool significantly ahead of their peers, particularly in early literacy and foundational math while also contributing cognitive skills (such as attention, persistence and problem solving) that contribute to broader school readiness. In practical terms, Prime Time participation is equivalent to moving a child from the 50th percentile to the 70th percentile in core developmental areas.

Prime Time programs are free for families and the partner organizations throughout the state that host them. Families also get to keep the books from the sessions to help build their home libraries.

View a map and list of Louisiana programs to see if there’s one taking place near you. For sites outside of Louisiana, refer to your state council for information about Prime Time.

If you are in a state that doesn’t yet have Prime Time, contact us at [email protected] about how to start that conversation with your state’s humanities council or library system.