Prime Time Family Reading program providing free resources to kids in Whitley Co.

Tammy Stephens, FRYSC Director for W’burg Ind.

Earlier this month, the Prime Time Family Reading program kicked off in Whitley County with events being held each week at the Cooperative Extension Office in Goldbug and the Corbin Public Library. These weekly meetings are geared towards kids ages 6-10, but entire families are welcome to attend, as organizers have ensured that there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

“We’re trying to help improve reading scores so that children will be reading at-or-above the appropriate level by the third grade,” said Tammy Meadors, who is with Save the Children, one of the community partners helping to present Prime Time Family Reading in Whitley County. “One of the key ways of accomplishing that is to model and encourage family engagement through reading time.”

At one of the most recent gatherings, which took place Monday, April 17, at the Cooperative Extension Office in Goldbug, parents and their children were treated to a meal before volunteers read two story books. Discussion about important topics and themes followed the reading of each book, with a series of open-ended questions that encouraged all participants, both young and old, to share their thoughts and opinions.

In addition to receiving a free meal, children who attend Prime Time Family Reading events will be sent home with their own copies of the books that are read and discussed, as well as various other prizes.

“Studies have shown that children whose families engage in family reading time have higher reading scores, and are more successful in life,” Meadors said, highlighting the importance of literacy education. “It helps to build a bond between family members, and it also helps to develop thinking skills and vocabulary.”

Also present at the April 17 meeting was Tabitha Meadors of the Whitley County Public Library, who stopped by to inform the families in attendance about the many free resources and services that are currently being offered there.

Workers from the Busy Beez Daycare center in Williamsburg have been on hand each week at the Cooperative Extension Office to provide free childcare service for kids 5-and-under during the two hours that Prime Time Family Reading is taking place.

For more information on the Prime Time Family Reading program, go online to www.primetimefamily.org.

Local meetings will continue for the next three weeks, each Monday from 5-7 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension off in Goldbug, and each Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at the Corbin Public Library.

Visit www.corbinkylibrary.org for more info on the many offerings at CPL, and earn more about the happenings at the Whitley County Public Library by visiting www.whitleylibrary.org.