TPL – High Res-16 small
TPL – High Res-29 small
TPL – High Res-33 small
TPL – High Res-22 small
TPL – High Res-19 small
Humanities Washington’s Prime Time Family Reading program builds reading comprehension skills for second and third graders in a fun, intergenerational environment. Tacoma Public Library has hosted the program for the past two years in partnership with local elementary schools and other family and community centers.
The program is intergenerational, encouraging the whole family to engage in Socratic discussions to build critical thinking and comprehension skills. These discussions run deep, covering topics such as greed, friendship, trust, and other philosophical topics. In a typical session, families and library staff have dinner together, learn about library resources and events, break the ice with games, then move to a story and discussion with the second and third graders and their families. The preschoolers have their own fun too, participating in a storytime and structured playtime of their own.
At the end of each session, second and third grade readers complete an activity or craft related to the story and get their books for the following week. Our last session celebrates the time we had together, culminating in the final story, a pizza party, book fair, and goodbyes. Families report improved discussion and engagement with their children after the sessions. Staff report new, lasting relationships with families who visit their neighborhood Tacoma Public Library after the program has concluded.
Tacoma Public Library is excited to announce that we will be able to host another session of Prime Time in partnership with Humanities Washington in 2025. Learn more about the program on the Humanities Washington website.
