Digitaf is an online platform of upcoming activities and workshops in the city of Tel Aviv for parents and children from birth through 3. Through the municipality website, municipality app, or SMS, parents can receive information on a range of free in-person and virtual activities offered by the city to support children’s development. Digitaf also provides a direct communication channel between parents and the municipality as well as facilitates connections amongst parents through a Facebook group. The platform is rapidly growing with over 27,000 users across Tel Aviv.
Digitaf
The Digitaf platform facilitates registrations for activities and workshops to support children’s development.
Overview
Active since 2017
Developer Municipal Government of Tel Aviv, Israel
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Technology utilized
- Mobile/tablet app Tool based on a self-contained and installable program on a mobile or tablet device.
- Text-based messaging service Tools that deliver scheduled messages or messages sent by a facilitator through regular messaging services like SMS and WhatsApp.
- Resource page/database Tools that provide collated resources through an interactive online platform.
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Target age
0-3 years
- Target audience
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ECD Focus areas
- Responsive caregiving Parents/caregiver’s ability to observe, understand, and respond to children’s cues appropriately.
- Health and nutrition Support for children’s physical and emotional health and access to diverse nutrient rich food. This also includes maternal health and nutrition including during pregnancy.
- Caregiver well-being and mental health Support for caregivers own emotional, social, and mental well-being by supporting development of required skills to identify, manage, and cope with stressors and providing counseling support.
- Early learning Opportunities for children to engage in activities that promote early literacy, numeracy, motor, and social-emotional skills.
How it works
Digitaf connects parents to free activities curated by the municipality.
Through Digitaf, parents can learn about and sign-up for a wide-range of expert-led (e.g., psychologists, social workers) activities offered for children (e.g., storytelling, music sessions, movement classes) and parents (e.g., taking care of a newborn, preparing children for daycare, nutrition).
- The list of activities offered are advertised on the municipality website and app. Parents also have access to a Facebook community group where the list of upcoming events are posted and categorized by age (birth – 1.5 years, 1.5 – 3 years) and locality.
- Sign-ups for 100+ events are opened at a predefined time twice a month on the municipality website and app. Waiting lists are created once the event has reached capacity.
- Parents can also choose to receive personalized notifications about events in their neighborhood through SMS.
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User engagement strategies
- Customized messages Sharing resources and content based on user needs (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, age of child). This also includes sharing personalized content based on short user assessments (e.g., activities shared based on child development assessments).
- Nudges and reminders Sharing messages to encourage users to take particular actions (e.g., appointment reminders, nudge to complete an activity).
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Key functions
- Enabling connections Facilitating connections between different users of the tool including between parents/caregivers, between the workforce and parents/caregivers, and between frontline workers and their supervisors.
- Providing expert support Providing access to experts (e.g., nurses, mental health professionals) through various means (e.g., live chats, consultations, video resources).
Technology and access
Internet access either through a feature phone, smartphone, or computer is required to sign-up for Digitaf. Once parents sign-up on the municipality website, they can opt to receive SMS notifications. The service is available free of cost to all parents.
- Connectivity requirements
- Device types
- Cost model
Measurement
Digitaf monitors the number of users, activity sign-ups, requests for activities, and participation in activities in community centers. Users provide feedback on the different events offered by Digitaf through the Facebook community page which informs future activity offerings.
Partnerships
Digitaf is funded by the municipality. Bernard van Leer Foundation’s Urban95 initiative provides technical assistance to understand needs of parents and children and supports the development of the workshops and activities. Baby Health Clinics in the city support recruitment of parents and provide their expertise to develop health and nutrition sessions for parents. Community centers or municipality buildings in the city provide the physical space required to conduct the sessions and activities.
Contact
For more details about the tool contact:
Annie Spitzer, Project Manager, Urban95
Spitzer_a@mail.tel-aviv.gov.il