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Since 1993, Denmark has required all children aged 6 to 16 to participate in weekly empathy classes as part of the national school curriculum. According to BrightVibes, these sessions are called Klassens tid or “The Class’s Hour.” For one hour each week, students gather in a relaxed setting to discuss personal or group problems, listen to one another, and work together to find solutions. The goal is to teach children how to understand others’ feelings, resolve conflicts respectfully, and build emotional intelligence. Empathy is treated as a learnable skill, not just a personality trait. As noted by My Modern Met, these classes help reduce bullying, strengthen relationships, and foster a sense of community. Children learn to value each other’s perspectives and grow into more confident, emotionally aware adults. Denmark’s approach is often credited for its consistently high rankings in the UN’s World Happiness Report. By embedding empathy into education from an early age, the country has created a culture where emotional well-being is prioritized alongside academic success.
