11/02/2025
Imagine growing up with kindness on your timetable.
In Denmark, kids aged 6 to 16 sit down every week for a simple class about how we treat one another. It’s called “klassens tid” - class time.
There’s no test. No grades. Just a safe space. Kids talk, listen, and solve small problems before they become big ones. They practice empathy in real life.
Teachers guide the group to notice feelings, say sorry, include others, and make room for every voice. It sounds small. It isn’t.
Caring doesn’t stop at people. Danish schools also teach kids to be kind to animals. They learn that animals have needs and feelings too.
Lessons and projects cover how to care for pets, what farm animals need, and why gentle handling matters. It’s common sense, taught with heart.
That weekly hour builds trust in the classroom. It makes space for shy kids to speak up and for strong kids to listen. It reminds everyone that community is something we build together.
Over time, children learn that empathy is a skill. You practice it. You get better. And it changes how you act at home, at school, and online.
I love that this is part of the school week - not a poster on the wall, but a habit. One hour. Every week. Year after year.
It’s a soft idea with hard results. Kinder classes. Fewer conflicts. More belonging.
If you could add one hour to your child’s week, would it be this one?
References
Skolens timebank - Børne- og Undervisningsministeriet (Denmark)
Klassens tid - Skole og Forældre
Dyrevelfærd i skolen - Fødevarestyrelsen (Danish Veterinary and Food Administration)
Lessons From Denmark: Teachers Can Incorporate Empathy in the Curriculum - Education Week
Disclaimer: Images are generated using AI for illustration purposes only.
