Strengthening children's
nutritional care through play
©UNICEF/UN317124/Coulibaly

Testimony

Balkissa Mohamed Almoud, plays with her sister Aichatou, 6 months, who suffers from severe acute malnutrition. Aichatou and her twin sister Fadimatou have just received cardboard toys made from boxes of ready-to-use therapeutic food, as part of UNICEF’s approach to cognitive stimulation. « I always try to play with them to make them happier, » says Balkissa. « I try to make them laugh. Twins are lucky, after all. »

Timbuktu, March 2020.

Eat & Play Box Concept

le concept

Developed by Nutriset in 2019, Eat & Play Box is an eco-friendly, fun, and smart packaging solution that transforms into toys, stimulating children’s cognitive and socio-emotional development while helping reduce the long-term effects of malnutrition.

Designed for humanitarian actors and health workers in the field, this innovation enhances the effectiveness of nutritional solutions in both the treatment and prevention of malnutrition.
Widely embraced by clients, this pioneering concept is now being deployed by UNICEF.

Toys are pre-cut in the flaps of the cardboard packaging
Quick and easy to build; no tools or special skills required
Compliant with current safety standards
No extra costs, no impact on the supply chain
Detach, snap
& play!

Our toys

My little TRUCK

My Little TRUCK helps develop language and imagination

SAVAN’Adventures

The SAVAN’Adventures helps develop language and imagination

Super TOWER

The Super TOWER involves eye / hand coordination, motor and language skills

Twin CARDS

The Twin CARDS develop observation, concentration and memory

Play: a key tool in the fight against malnutrition

Early childhood specialists agree that for children to develop harmoniously and reach their full potential, they need more than just a well-adapted diet. They also require love, protection, and stimulation.

Between birth and 12 months, a baby’s brain undergoes an intense phase of neuronal development. By the age of 3, more than 80% of their brain is already formed. Social interactions, emotional stimulation, and play are essential for building brain connections and ensuring healthy growth.

When a child falls into acute malnutrition, their activity levels progressively decrease. A severely malnourished child stops playing, crying, smiling, and even expressing discomfort. Parents may mistakenly believe their child no longer needs attention, but this lack of stimulation has a direct negative impact on their mental and behavioral development.

That’s why cognitive and emotional stimulation is an essential complement to nutritional treatment. It strengthens the healing process and helps mitigate the developmental delays caused by malnutrition.

 

 

Check the sources

Think and design for SAFETY

Safe toys for children

The toys have been subjected to mechanical tests carried out by an independent analysis laboratory.  They comply with the European Toy Safety Standard EN 71-1,2,3 and 10 for children aged 6 months and older.

Usage Precautions

  • Like all toys, the Eat&Play Box toys should not be given to children if they are damaged or dirty.
  • In general, you should never leave a child unattended, especially when handling objects.
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