Page 10 - ChildArt July-Sept 2017 Your Brain on Art

8 CHILDART HEALTH

a result, they feel more connected to the
people around them. This is because of
the unique ways that arts activities change
the brain for language development and
emotional learning.
HEART takes place in community centers,
pre-schools, primary schools and after-
school programs. As children become
healthier and more engaged with their
peers, adults and family members, they are
better able to enjoy the full set of HEART
activities like using drama to teach history;
sculpture and physical modeling to teach
geography; music to reinforce concepts of
math; and book making and storytelling to
support literacy.
Arts-based activities can help young
HEART – SAVE THE CHILDREN people succeed in their school subjects and
their relationships with friends and adults,
too. When compared to similar young
people who do not participate in the HEART
program, HEART participants make greater
gains in literacy, math, social-emotional
development and motor skills. In short,
they do better in their school subjects and
Sometimes it can be hard to watch Through HEART, the healing process are less likely to have behavior issues that
the news. When scenes of war and begins when a child shares his or her limit their relationships and potential. This
uncertainty from around the world make memories and feelings. Sometimes, it can is because of the unique ways that arts
you feel sad and helpless, take heart: be hard to talk about difficult feelings or activities change the brain for language
there is always something you can worries. Stress lives in the brain and can development and emotional learning.
do. Eglantyne Jebb founded Save the actually act as a wall between the part In the last five years, the global HEART
Children in 1919 after her experiences of the brain that holds our worries and program has given more than 150,000
with the devastating effects of World fears and the part that helps us to talk young people the opportunity to heal,
War I on the basic health and wellness about them. Creating a piece of art, like a learn, explore and thrive through arts-
of children and families in war zones. drawing or a sculpture, can help to break based activities. During times of chaos and
The organization is dedicated to giving down that wall and express those worries. uncertainty, something as simple as a safe,
children a healthy start, the opportunity In the HEART program, children can use friendly space to draw can be life-changing
to learn and protect them from harm. art to express their worries and fears with for young people living with chronic stress.
Save the Children’s HEART program a trusted adult or peer in a safe space. As
(Healing and Education through the Arts)
uses an arts-based approach to provide
support for children ages 4 to 18 that Try this:
are living with daily uncertainty or worry
because of lack of a safe place to live,
enough food to eat or doctors to help
them when they are sick or disabled.
These conditions are most likely to occur
in countries or regions where there is
war, conflict and poverty. Currently,
HEART is offered in the nations of Jordan,
Occupied Palestinian Territories, Egypt,
Lebanon, Turkey, Bosnia Herzegovina, SING DRAW DANCE
Ukraine, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Haiti, Sing your favorite song Draw a picture of Play your favorite music
El Salvador, Mexico, China, Armenia, loud and clear. How a feeling. What did and dance around. Do
Albania and Georgia. do you feel? you draw? you feel less stressed?