HeartKids has recently launched Hop for HeartKids, a fun, curriculum-aligned school challenge that helps children form healthy habits while raising awareness and funds for those impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD).
HeartKids is the only national organisation dedicated to supporting children, teens, and adults with CoHD, as well as their families, through support programs, information, and advocacy.
Every day in Australia, eight babies are born with a congenital heart condition. Half require life-saving surgery, which can only be performed in four major cities: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Tragically, four children under the age of one lose their life each week. Many of those who survive face ongoing challenges, including developmental delays and milestone setbacks, making early support and awareness essential.
Hop for HeartKids encourages pre-school and primary school students to get moving through hopping challenges, while learning about heart health and developing compassion for their Heart Kid peers along the way.
“When parents fill out medical forms as part of enrolment, schools immediately ask about existing conditions. Once parents reveal a heart condition, it can trigger alarm bells for teachers who aren’t informed about heart conditions,” said Ms Sami Glastonbury, HeartKids National Philanthropy and Development Manager.
“That’s why we’re bringing Hop for HeartKids into schools and linking it to the Australian Curriculum – to give students a fun, healthy activity that also builds awareness and compassion. Chances are they’ll have a peer with a heart condition at some point, and this helps create a more inclusive and understanding environment.”
The program was developed in partnership with experienced teacher and education consultant Ms Jane Hamdorf. With more than 30 years of teaching experience, Ms Hamdorf has created a comprehensive, teacher-friendly set of lesson ideas that link to multiple learning areas including art, maths, English, health, PE and science.
Incorporating diverse learning approaches, including literature-based activities using Oliver Jeffers’ The Heart and the Bottle, Ms Hamdorf has included educational exercises to build knowledge, empathy and engagement.
“The importance of fitness in relation to not only heart health, but mental health is so critical—especially in this screen-age,” Ms Hamdorf said.
The program is already seeing strong uptake in classrooms, helping schools create healthier, more inclusive environments—one hop at a time.
For more information, visit https://www.heartkids.org.au/
