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)
- What: Focus on understanding and gaining knowledge. Ask yourself questions to encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and learning.
- How: Before making decisions or taking action, make sure you understand the facts, concepts, or information related to the situation. Use reasoning and reflect on different ideas.
Engage your heart (feeling)
- What: Connect emotionally to what you’re learning or doing. Understand how it makes you feel and how others might feel. Build empathy and motivation.
- How: Take time to reflect on why the task or learning matters to you and others. Foster positive emotions like excitement or curiosity, and stay motivated by focusing on the bigger purpose.
Engage your hands (action)
- What: Put your knowledge and emotions into practice. Use your skills and take action to apply what you’ve learned.
- How: Try hands-on activities, real-world projects, or practice your skills in everyday situations. Take steps that move your ideas or learning into something tangible.