“Gambare”, a mindset that is taught to children in Japan from birth. It is more than just a concept. It involves a total commitment, a way of life. It is not just a way of thinking, it also becomes a way of being. To try and explain Gambare to a Westerner, the word “perseverance” comes closest to what it involves. It has been described as “to persevere, to do one’s best, to be persistent, to stick to one’s purpose, to never give up until the job is done, and done well….” Gambare can be summed up in three different ways of persistance and perseverance:
- Standing up for one’s beliefs, even when personal risk is involved and despite opposition
- Moving ahead in seeking to accomplish one’s goals despite obstacles and detours
- Surviving tough times by hanging in, being patient and coming back strong after a lost battle, a mistake, or other setback.
In schools, we may often find ourselves in situations where we can use some “Gambare.” I was discussing the importance of using Twenty Maths Language Questions at regular intervals during Maths lessons, with a parent. The conversation went something like this:
Parent: “Why do you persist in asking twenty questions at the beginning of your Maths classes? Kids never get the twenty questions right anyway. You are just wasting time.”
Me: “I think that it is important for students to hear Maths language regularly. They need to be able to interpret the questions and solve them Mathematically, so they need to be able to ‘translate’ everyday language into Maths language, and link it with some concept they can use to solve the problem.”
Parent: “But why don’t you make the questions a bit easier? Then they can get them all right! It would make them feel good!”
Me: “Are you a coach of some sport?”
Parent: “Yes, I coach basketball to the under elevens.”
Me: “Eleven year olds are not very tall, are they? Do they get all the balls through the hoop?”
Parent: “Nope. They need to practice a lot to get that ball through the hoop!”
Me: “And has it ever crossed your mind to lower the pole with the hoop on it so the kids could all get the ball through the hoop?”
Parent: “No, never! They have to practice…”
Me: “And when they finally start getting that ball through the hoop after practicing a lot, it makes them feel good, doesn’t it?”
Parent: “Now I get it. You can’t lower the bar in your Maths class either, can you? Kids need to practice and persist a bit, so they can build up the skill set they will need later in Maths, and for that matter, in life…”
Me: “And when they finally get it, it is build on a much deeper understanding because they practiced and persisted.”
Parent: “Yep. Plus we also bring in here team work, can’t we?”
Me: “Well, that is a whole new ball game!”
Gambare. Persist and persevere. It is important in school. It is important in life. Where can we bottle and buy some of it to use every day?
(Gambare shortened url code http://2pl.us/Q8)