31/10/2025
What if kindness was a subject at school? 💛
In Denmark, children aged 6 to 16 spend one hour every week learning something you won’t find in any textbook... kindness. The class is called “klassens tid,” meaning “class time.” There are no tests or grades just open conversations. Kids sit together, share what’s on their minds, and solve little problems before they turn into big ones. Teachers guide them to notice emotions, say sorry, include others, and listen not to win, but to understand.
The lessons go beyond people too. Danish schools teach children to be kind to animals, helping them see that compassion crosses every boundary. They learn how pets and farm animals have needs and feelings, and why gentle care matters. Through small projects and real examples, empathy becomes a habit instead of a rule something kids live and practice every single week.
Over time, that one hour shapes a different kind of classroom one built on trust, patience, and belonging. Shy kids find their voices, confident ones learn to listen, and everyone grows together. It’s proof that teaching kindness isn’t a soft idea... it’s a powerful one that can build better humans. Maybe the world just needs more “class time.” 🌍
References:
Børne- og Undervisningsministeriet (Denmark) – Skolens Timebank
Skole og Forældre – Klassens Tid
Fødevarestyrelsen – Dyrevelfærd i Skolen
Education Week – Lessons From Denmark: Teaching Empathy in the Classroom
