Expressive Arts Sessions for Children Are Held in Child-Friendly Spaces in Communities of Kharkiv Region

“Can I draw the sun green?” At sessions in child-friendly spaces across communities in Kharkiv region, the answer is always the same — yes, you can. Because what matters here is not how the drawing looks, but what the child feels.

In a region where children have long been living amid danger, displacement, and loss, such safe spaces become places of recovery. Here, children can once again experience stability, connect with their peers, and gradually regain a sense of a normal childhood.

During the sessions, specialists apply the HEART approach — expressive arts practices that help children speak about their experiences through creativity. Drawing, movement, and working with various materials help reduce tension, develop self-expression skills, and support emotional resilience. Facilitators do not evaluate or impose solutions — they listen attentively and support children in finding their own answers.

This approach delivers visible results: children become more open to interaction, express their feelings more easily, learn to cope with challenges, and gradually rebuild their self-confidence. Regular creative sessions help strengthen psychosocial well-being and create a foundation for further development and learning.

Child-friendly spaces remain an important part of support for communities in Kharkiv region. These spaces allow every child to feel care, safety, and the possibility to move forward.

The project is implemented by the NGO “Responsible Citizens” in partnership with the international humanitarian organisation Save the Children in Ukraine, with the generous support of the American people through the Government of the United States.

The content is the responsibility of the NGO “Responsible Citizens” and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of the United States.