The UNI_FORM tool aims to visually display how games and play can support positive cognitive development
TORONTO/NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - A digital tool that interactively shows how games and play stimulate brain development during early childhood launches today. The interactive UNI_FORM 'jacket' was created by the H&M Foundation and UNICEF as part of a new UNI_FORM campaign to help promote early childhood development.
The UNI_FORM tool, which aims to visually translate neuroscience for parents and caregivers across the world, displays how young brains develop at yearly stages up to the age of five, and provides families with innovative age-appropriate play ideas that can help optimize brain development.
The jacket reveals different cognitive games that feed the brain as it evolves with the child´s age. The games are tailored for each age based on UNICEF's research on Early Childhood Development.
"Early childhood presents a window of opportunity that define a child's future. By using UNI_FORM as a symbol, we want to raise awareness around the fact that children who are stimulated in their early years learn more effectively at school, and as adults they can have a higher earning power and be of better health than children that don't have these early opportunities," said Diana Amini, Global Manager at H&M Foundation.
"Children who experience love, proper nutrition and protection in a stimulating environment during early childhood become resilient, learn effectively and are able to help build strong, safe communities and economies when they reach adulthood," said Pia Britto UNICEF Chief of Early Childhood Development. "We are proud to launch this interactive tool to help give children the enrichment they need in these critical early moments of life."
An estimate 249 million children under five in low- and middle-income countries are at an increased risk of poor development due to extreme poverty and stunting.
On www.theuniform.org, adults and children can interact with the UNI_FORM and at the same time support the right for every child to get the best start in life. During the earliest moments of life, children's experiences have the power to shape the development of their brains as much as their DNA as neural connections take place at a once-in-a lifetime speed of up to 1,000 per second, forming their cognitive, social and emotional development.
Notes to Editors:
About UNI_FORM
The UNI_FORM features a range of games that highlight the critical milestones in a child's development and the opportunities to stimulate and foster these skills. All these stages are highlighted through a game which is embedded in the UNI_FORM digital jacket:
UNI_FORM is not part of a collection or for sale.
UNI_FORM follows the UNI-COIN initiative, launched last year by the H&M Foundation and UNICEF.
For cognitive games and more information on the UNI_FORM initiative and early childhood development visit www.theuniform.org.
About the Global Program for Education
The UNI_FORM campaign is part of the Global Program for Education – a collaboration between H&M Foundation and UNICEF. In February 2014, the H&M Foundation announced a grant to UNICEF of USD 9.3 million over a three year period. This grant enables UNICEF to reach 73,600 children with Early Childhood Development programs as well as influence governments to place Early Childhood Development on the national agenda and commit budgetary resources to address these issues. Few donors or governments prioritize funding for Early Childhood Development, which is why the H&M Foundation wants to contribute to filling that gap by supporting UNICEF.
About H&M
H&M Foundation is a non-profit global foundation, privately funded by the Stefan Persson family, founders and main owners of the fashion company H&M. The mission of the Foundation is to create long lasting positive change and improve living conditions by investing in communities, people and innovative ideas. Through partnerships with prominent organizations around the globe, the Foundation drives change within four focus areas; Education, Clean water, Strengthening women and Protecting the planet. In addition, the H&M Foundation can also provide emergency relief. Since 2013, the Stefan Persson family has donated SEK 1.1 billion (USD 154 million/EUR 123 million) to the H&M Foundation.
For more information about H&M and its work visit hm.com/hmfoundation.
About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, nutrition and food security, education, emergency relief and more.
UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.ca.
SOURCE UNICEF Canada
Image with caption: "UNICEF Canada (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada) (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161024_C3765_PHOTO_EN_800679.jpg
To arrange interviews or for more information please contact: Stefanie Carmichael, UNICEF Canada, 416-482-6552 ext. 8866; 437-345-6324 (mobile), [email protected]
UNICEF is the world’s leading humanitarian organization focused on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our unrivaled reach...
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