Giggles, Games, and Growing Minds
In Afghanistan, UNICEF and the World Bank turn everyday moments into magical milestones through the joy of early childhood learning
14 October, 2025: In a sunlit room in Herat, west of Afghanistan, a quiet transformation is taking place. Tahira Rahimi, an Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilitator, turns the pages of a storybook with a soft and warm voice. Beside her sits little Rafiullah, eyes wide with wonder as he listens to a tale about the importance of drinking water. It’s a simple moment—but one that carries the weight of love, learning, and hope at an early age.
Early childhood development encompasses the most sensitive period of a child’s growth – the time when the foundations of health, learning, and emotional stability are established. Investing in family support during this period is crucial for children’s well-being and for creating equal opportunities for all.
UNICEF/UNI893643/Khayyam
Tahira Rahimi, a dedicated Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilitator, turns the pages of a colorful storybook. Beside her, little Rafiullah sits, completely captivated by the tale unfolding—a story that teaches the vital importance of drinking clean water.
UNICEF/UNI893642/Khayyam
Across the room, 10-month-old Armin giggles as she plays with toys. Farida, her mother, watches Armin. “Before joining the programme, I didn’t spend time playing with my child,” she shares. “Now I’ve learned how to communicate, play, and teach with love. My baby enjoys coming here—she feels happy,” said Farida.
These scenes are part of a larger story unfolding in six provinces—Herat, Kabul, Parwan, Nangarhar, Laghman, and Balkh—where UNICEF, with support from the World Bank, is running a transformative ECD programme. From April 2025 to June 2026, the initiative aims to empower 10,000 parents and touch the lives of 20,000 children through 16 weeks of interactive sessions.
In Herat, the impact is visible. Dina is five years old, laughing as she balances balls on spoons, walking carefully along a line. The game, designed by local female facilitators, isn’t just fun—it’s a tool to build motor skills and confidence.
Five-year-old Skukran sits with his mother, drawn to a collection of vibrant storybooks. Together, they pick tales bursting with apples, and playful cartoon characters like firefighters. But these books are more than just entertainment—they're gateways to understanding the world, igniting curiosity and building meaningful connections.
Nearby, little Araz, just 18 months old, stacks soft sponge blocks with his siblings. Their laughter fills the air, echoing the joy of shared play. These moments are made possible by 15 master trainers and 140 facilitators trained by UNICEF Afghanistan , who bring creativity and care to every session. And in every corner of the centre, handmade toys and colorful cutouts invite children into a world of joyful learning. Crafted from simple, local materials, these tools nurture imagination, positive behaviour, and a love for discovery.
“At first, the mothers were shy,” Tahira*, another ECD facilitator, recalls. “But after just two sessions, they began sharing their stories and said they had learned a lot about child care and positive parenting.”
This is more than a programme-- it is games and growing mind. One that builds parenting skills, strengthens families, and plants seeds of change in communities. In Herat and beyond, the ECD initiative is proving that with the right support, every child can thrive—and every parent can be a teacher of love.
*To protect the privacy and safety of those featured, all names have been changed.
