HEART is an art-based support programme for pupils from kindergarten to year 6. It was founded by Nina Kronauer-Kohler in Switzerland based on the unique method of Juli Beattie, founder of At the Bus.
HEART started in 2015 at two schools in the canton of Zurich. Today, it is offered weekly to almost 100 children in the school districts of Schwamendingen and Glattal.
Scientific studies have shown that creativity and its expression have a positive effect on children's well-being and healthy development.
On the one hand, creative activity and the resulting works are non-verbal means of expression and communication. On the other hand, the joy and pride of a self-made work of art strengthens self-confidence. The children experience being able to proactively help shape situations and experience themselves as self-effective. This in turn is an important protective factor for healthy child development.
In addition to kindergarten and school, HEART offers a safe and structured environment in which children can develop their creativity and experience a sense of achievement in small, age-homogeneous groups.
The weekly sessions of around one and a half hours take place during school hours over the course of a school year. This creates consistency and ensures that the processes are firmly anchored. Clear structures and close supervision of each group by an interprofessional team of three specialists provide security and enable individual needs to be addressed.
Evaluations in the UKS have already confirmed that the programme leads to a reduction in emotional and behavioural difficulties.
The programme is run by the non-profit HEART Association in Zurich, which is funded by the Max Kohler Foundation.