Heads, Hearts, Hands

What is it?

The Heads, Hearts, and Hands approach is a practice popularized by Dr. Jane Vella, an educator and author who focused on adult learning and the development of holistic education strategies. 

It focuses on developing three key areas of intelligence to promote well-rounded growth: intellectual (Head), emotional (Heart), and practical (Hands). These three elements help individuals engage in learning, problem-solving, and action in a balanced way, addressing the cognitive, emotional, and practical dimensions of human experience.

Heads (cognitive aspect)

This part refers to the knowledge, thinking, and intellectual understanding that come from your mind. It involves critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to understand complex ideas. It is about acquiring knowledge, reasoning through problems, and making informed decisions.

Hearts (emotional aspect)

This part represents the emotional and relational aspects of learning. It involves fostering empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence. It highlights the importance of understanding feelings, forming meaningful connections with others, and developing a strong sense of purpose or motivation. The heart encourages emotional awareness and helps people relate to their work or learning on a deeper, more personal level.

Hands (practical aspect)

This part refers to the practical application of knowledge and emotions in real-world scenarios. It emphasizes action, skills development, and the ability to implement ideas. This is about putting what is learned into practice, whether through physical tasks, hands-on projects, or engaging in community and professional activities that require applied skills.

How to use it?

To use this practice in your learning or work, try following these steps to balance your thinking, emotions, and actions:

Engage your head (thinking)

Engage your heart (feeling)

Engage your hands (action)

Examples in arts and culture

1. Pandemic

Let’s consider a disabled artists collective using the Heads, Hearts, Hands approach to envision a more caring, inclusive, and accessible future in the arts and culture sector post-pandemic.

Heads: Intellectual understanding
Hearts: Emotional connection
Hands: Practical action

2. Racism and economic inequality

Let’s consider a young Black poet-musician who is navigating the challenges of racism and economic inequality while trying to create and share their art in a world that limits access to affordable housing, performance spaces, and publishing opportunities. Using the Heads, Hearts, and Hands approach, they can begin to strategize a path forward in their journey toward greater equity and expression.

Heads: Intellectual understanding
Hearts: Emotional connection
Hands: Practical action

 

 


Revision #2
Created 11 December 2024 13:30:21 by ArtsPond
Updated 11 December 2024 16:29:43 by ArtsPond