18 lessons · DigiEmpathy, N. Macedonia, Greece, Portugal, Türkiye and the Czech Republic
Interactive Empathy Activities for the Classroom
Classroom activities that put empathy into practice with students aged 8–16, each with a video recorded in a real classroom so teachers can see how the activity runs.
The activities cover cognitive and affective empathy, building empathy through scenarios, moral dilemmas, coping with intense emotions, understanding how others feel, handling conflict, giving negative feedback, active listening, stereotypes, and empathy in digital communication. Most topics have two versions, one for ages 8–12 and one for ages 13–16.
The videos were recorded in real classrooms in Türkiye and Portugal, in Turkish and Portuguese with English subtitles.
Discriminate cognitive empathy
Learn to recognize and understand other people's thoughts and perspectives, and explore how cognitive empathy supports respectful communication and informed decision-making.
14:18
Lesson 1 · Ages 8–12 · 3 videos
Differentiating Cognitive and Emotional Empathy
Three scenarios that help students discriminate cognitive empathy (what they think) from affective empathy (what they feel).
3:19
Lesson 2 · Ages 13–16
Discriminate Between Cognitive and Affective Empathy (Ages 13–16)
A presentation of the “Mind vs Heart Cards” activity. In small groups, students read scenario cards about common teenage situations and answer two questions — what might this person think, and what might this person feel — to tell cognitive empathy from affective empathy.
Foster empathy
Discover practical ways to develop empathy by recognizing emotions, appreciating different perspectives, and building positive relationships with others.
2:23
Lesson 3 · Ages 8–12
Foster Empathy: What Would You Do If…? (Ages 8–12)
The “What Would You Do?” circle. Students sit in a circle, the teacher reads a scenario and tosses a ball to a student, who says what they would say or do; the group then discusses why that response is kind and empathic.
17:39
Lesson 4 · Ages 13–16 · 2 videos
Developing Empathy and Creating Scenarios
Foster empathy by creating scenarios of what a student would say or do in different contexts, then provide and discuss proper behaviour models.
Moral dilemmas
Explore real-life moral dilemmas that encourage reflection, ethical reasoning, and empathy when making difficult decisions.
13:24
Lesson 5 · Ages 8–12 · 2 videos
Moral Dilemmas and the Importance of Emotions
Explore moral dilemmas and how emotions play a key role in resolving them ethically and empathetically.
4:37
Lesson 6 · Ages 13–16
Moral Dilemmas and the Importance of Emotions (Ages 13–16)
A classroom session on moral dilemmas, such as telling a small lie to protect a friend. Students compare how artificial intelligence would reason with how people decide, and discuss the role of emotions and empathy in moral choices. In Portuguese with English subtitles.
Coping strategies
Develop healthy coping strategies to manage emotions, build resilience, and respond positively to everyday challenges.
2:48
Lesson 7 · Ages 8–12
Coping Strategies for Intense Emotions (Ages 8–12)
A presentation of the Feelings Thermometer activity. Students help make a thermometer poster with levels from 1 (calm) to 5 (explosive), place real-life situation cards at the level that matches the emotional intensity, and learn to choose coping tools before feelings become overwhelming.
11:09
Lesson 8 · Ages 13–16
Strategies for Coping with Intense Emotions
Practical coping strategies for managing intense emotions in the classroom.
Handling conflict constructively
Learn practical approaches to resolving conflicts respectfully through communication, cooperation, and empathy.
2:00
Lesson 9 · Ages 8–12
Handling Conflict Constructively (Ages 8–12)
The “Conflict Comics” activity. Students draw a conflict situation in the first panels of a comic strip, then create a positive resolution in the later panels using constructive strategies.
7:15
Lesson 10 · Ages 13–16
Handling Conflict Constructively
Strategies for resolving conflicts respectfully and constructively in the classroom and in digital spaces.
How to apply active listening
Discover how active listening strengthens understanding, builds trust, and promotes meaningful communication with others.
3:41
Lesson 11 · Ages 8–12
Language as an Empathetic Tool: Empathy in Digital Communication (Ages 8–12)
A presentation of the “Language as an Empathetic Tool” activity on empathy in digital communication. Students reflect on the power of words, compare empathetic and non-empathetic phrases, rewrite neutral or negative messages more empathetically, and make posters contrasting disrespectful and empathetic comments.
5:09
Lesson 12 · Ages 13–16
Developing Active Listening Skills
Techniques and exercises for applying active listening in the classroom.
How stereotypes affect empathy
Examine how stereotypes influence our perceptions of others and learn how empathy helps overcome prejudice and promote inclusion.
8:05
Lesson 13 · Ages 8–12
How Stereotypes Affect Empathy
Understanding how stereotypes create barriers to empathy and how to challenge them in the classroom.
4:30
Lesson 14 · Ages 13–16
How Stereotypes Affect Empathy (Ages 13–16)
A classroom session on how stereotypes affect empathy. The teacher shows how judging people by their appearance can hurt them; students then look at photos, say what kind of person they think each one is, and find out who the people really are. In Portuguese with English subtitles.
Empathy in digital communication
Explore how empathy can improve digital communication by promoting respectful, responsible, and meaningful interactions in online environments.
Communicating negative feedback
Learn to give negative feedback kindly and constructively, so that it helps the other person and protects the friendship.
5:57
Lesson 16 · Ages 8–12
Communicating Negative Feedback Correctly
How to give and receive negative feedback in a respectful, empathetic, and constructive way.
5:00
Lesson 17 · Ages 13–16
How to Communicate Negative Feedback Properly (Ages 13–16)
A classroom session on the “feedback sandwich”. Using the example of a group member who did not contribute, students learn to give negative feedback constructively: understand why it happened, explain how it affected the group, and say what should change next time. In Portuguese with English subtitles.
Understanding how others feel
Practise recognising what other people feel and deciding how to act with empathy.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Interactive Empathy Activities?
They are classroom activities that put empathy into practice with students aged 8–16. Each activity has a video recorded in a real classroom, so teachers can see how it runs, plus a written summary, key takeaways and a transcript.
Which age groups are the activities for?
Each activity is marked for ages 8–12 or ages 13–16. Most topics have one activity for each age group, shown side by side on this page.
Which topics do the activities cover?
Cognitive and affective empathy, fostering empathy through scenarios, moral dilemmas, coping with intense emotions, handling conflict constructively, active listening, how stereotypes affect empathy, empathy in digital communication, communicating negative feedback, and understanding how others feel.
Do teachers need special materials?
No. The activities use everyday classroom materials such as scenario cards, a board divided into columns, paper, markers or a soft ball. Each lesson page describes how the activity runs.
What language are the activity videos in?
The videos were recorded in classrooms in Türkiye and Portugal, in Turkish and Portuguese, with English subtitles. The summaries and transcripts on each lesson page are in English.
Who created the activities?
The content was developed jointly by the project partnership: organisations and schools from N. Macedonia, Greece, Portugal, Türkiye and the Czech Republic, working together under the Erasmus+ KA220 project ‘Empathy in the Digital Age’.
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