How Does Sifriyat Pijama Work?
Sifriyat Pijama delivers boxes of books to daycare centers, kindergartens, and schools across Israel, curating the most appropriate selections for each age group.
- Daycare Centers
In their first year, toddlers receive 5 books aimed at ages 12 to 24 months.
In their second year, they receive 8 books geared to ages 2 and 3. Daycare staff take part in enrichment and training sessions throughout the year to enhance their ability to engage children with the stories and optimize the program’s implementation.
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Kindergartens
Children receive 7 books in their first year of Kindergarten (from ages 3 to 4), and the following year they receive 7 more age appropriate books.
- Schools
During first grade, children receive 4 books and in second grade, they receive another 4 age appropriate books.
Teaching staff are notified about each “book of the month” in advance so they can best incorporate it with upcoming plans and programs in the classroom. Sifriyat Pijama provides educators with an electronic newsletter including specially developed support materials and engagement activities.
When a new book arrives, teachers and children read it together and then take part in creative activities inspired by the book. This experiential approach helps children engage more deeply with the stories.
After in-class activities, each child brings home their own personal copy of the book. This encourages family reading time and builds up their home library. Connecting onsite learning activities with at-home family reading is a profound way to not only enhance literacy, but also impart the meaningful values found in the stories.
Each month’s book delivery also includes two copies for the educational facility, to help expand its own library and resources.
Where is the Program Offered?
Sifriyat Pijama is offered across Israel in some 160 local authorities annually! 85% of participating children do not pay for it, whereas the remaining 15% (the most affluent Israeli communities) receive the books at a discounted price.
Daycare Centers
Daycare centers across Israel affiliated with national networks or local authorities participate in this program as do privately-owned daycare centers. The Ministry of Education is not a funding partner, and as such participants pay a highly subsidized price for the program.
Kindergartens
The Pre-Elementary Education Department at the Israeli Ministry of Education supports state kindergartens in communities ranked socio-economically as clusters 1–7 according to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Children living in these communities participate in the program free of charge.
Schools
The Elementary Education Department at the Israeli Ministry of Education supports state schools in communities ranked socio-economically as clusters 1–6 according to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) ranking. Children living in these communities participate in the program free of charge.