Prime Time family literacy programs have served nearly 7,000 families in Northwest Louisiana, according to a new report examining the initiative’s reach and outcomes in Caddo and Bossier parishes.
Prime Time, an initiative of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, has served 6,992 families through 548 programs in Northwest Louisiana. The program brings young children and their caregivers together for shared meals, guided reading, discussions and play-based learning designed to encourage literacy and critical-thinking skills at home.
The study, funded by the Community Foundation of North Louisiana, used family focus groups and surveys collected over five years from participating families in Caddo and Bossier parishes.
More than 83% of families that recently participated reported an increase in active literacy activities at home, according to the study. Nearly 36% reported an improved relationship with their child’s school, while about 54% reported increased critical-thinking skills among participating children.
Caregivers also reported improvements in children’s empathy, imagination, perspective-taking and relationships with peers and family members. The study found that families of children with differing learning needs also reported literacy benefits.
“Literacy is far more than an academic score; it is the foundation for empathy, critical thinking, and lifelong curiosity,” said Miranda Restovic, president and executive director of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and Prime Time Inc. “This study confirms that when we support the entire family we don’t just raise reading benchmarks, we ignite a joy for reading that strengthens families and communities for generations, while achieving the goal of improving literacy and academic scores as well.”
Prime Time operates through partner sites including schools, libraries, museums and community service organizations. Its model combines reading and discussion with activities intended to strengthen connections between classroom learning and literacy practices at home.
The report comes as education and community organizations in Northwest Louisiana continue efforts to improve early childhood education, literacy and kindergarten readiness.
The Community Foundation of North Louisiana, which funded the study, manages more than $243 million in assets for the benefit of the region. The foundation says it has awarded more than $174 million in grants to nonprofit organizations since its establishment in 1961.
The foundation also operates an Early Childhood Education Scholarship Initiative aimed at increasing access to early childhood education and improving kindergarten readiness in North Louisiana.
“Through our Early Childhood Education Scholarship Initiative, CFNLA is working to improve kindergarten readiness in North Louisiana by increasing access to high-quality early childhood education opportunities,” Community Foundation CEO Kristi Gustavson said.
Families surveyed for the Prime Time study also identified expansion as a priority, requesting additional program sites, longer operating hours and days, programs at more neighborhood libraries and elementary schools, and sessions during school vacations.
Seven Prime Time programs are currently operating in Caddo and Bossier parishes as part of a broader rollout of programs across Louisiana.