Forget pop quizzes, one Japanese middle school is making headlines for teaching empathy in a hands-on way. About 70 students joined an unusual class activity: wearing 7 kg “pregnancy vests” to simulate the physical strain of being pregnant. The goal? To give students a deeper appreciation of parenting, responsibility, and compassion.
Pregnancy Vests: A Crash Course in Empathy
Students strapped on padded bellies and chests, then tried everyday moves: standing, bending, and walking through hallways. Suddenly, routine tasks became difficult. Many realized for the first time how balance, energy, and patience change when the body is under strain. This activity is part of Japan’s growing focus on empathy education in schools.
From Simulated Pregnancy to Real Parenting Lessons
After experiencing the vests, students were paired with infants aged two to six months. With parents supervising, they practiced rocking, feeding, and soothing babies while hearing real stories about 24/7 childcare. The crying, wriggling, and sleeplessness hit home: parenting is far more challenging than it looks.
Teaching Empathy Without Fear
The program wasn’t designed to scare students away from future families. Instead, it was about building respect. By experiencing even a small piece of the work parents do, students developed empathy, resilience, and awareness. This type of empathy education is gaining global attention as schools look for ways to nurture social-emotional learning alongside academics.
Why Japan’s Approach Matters Globally
The school hopes this exercise sparks long-term impact—encouraging students to value responsibility, support caregivers, and understand family life with compassion. For educators worldwide, Japan’s experiment offers a fresh model: empathy isn’t taught by textbooks alone, but by experiences that shift perspectives.
