Developing a Healing Arts Pedagogy and Practices (HAPPy) Training: An Arts-Based Curriculum for Trauma Stabilisation and Stress Alleviation in the South African Educational System
Date
2022-09-16
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Publisher
Arts Research Africa
Abstract
This paper discusses the theoretical foundations and
pedagogical principles underlying the “Mas’phefumle” project,
which explores healing arts practices and pedagogy as a
response to trauma in South Africa. The authors propose that
artistic research has transformed and advanced arts-based
pedagogies in the country, offering impactful healing practices
that can help communities during challenging times and
regulate individuals after traumatic incidents. The curriculum
developed, called Healing Arts Pedagogy and Practices
(HAPPy), aims to establish culturally sensitive activities that
promote resilience and create safe learning environments. The
foundations of the curriculum are based on healing, the arts,
pedagogies, and practices, integrating elements of polyvagal
theory, psychotraumatology, and the African philosophy of
Ubuntu. The paper describes the action research method used
and presents the initial cycle of the curriculum’s development.