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UNI_FORM – the first digital jacket that evolves with a child’s brain

UNICEF and the H&M Foundation launched the UNI_FORM campaign to highlight the importance of early childhood development. A digital and interactive jacket was created as a symbol for every child’s right to get the best start in life and as a tool for parents to engage in early learning activities with their children.

Girl in the UNI_form jacket

The digital, interactive jacket, created by  H&M Foundation and UNICEF as part of the UNI_FORM campaign, provides innovative, age-appropriate play ideas that can help stimulate brain development during early childhood. It also shows parents and caregivers the critical importance of nourishing a young child’s brain. On 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.

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.

“We are proud to launch this interactive tool to help give children the enrichment they need in these critical early moments of life.”

Pia Britto UNICEF Chief of Early Childhood Development

“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.

Nearly 250 million children in low- and middle-income countries lack the nutrition, stimulation, nurturing and responsive care they need to develop healthy brain functions. Early deprivations rob children of a fair chance to pursue fulfilling futures, which also can trigger a cycle of inequality that can continue for generations.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.

For cognitive games and more information on the UNI_FORM initiative visit: theuniform.org.

UNI_FORM is not part of a collection or for sale.

Read the full press release.