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Shu-ha-ri, or how Japanese philosophy can help a child learn

Japanese baby and mom are talking about studying

In today's world, where children are surrounded by many distractions, it is becoming increasingly difficult to motivate them to study. Traditional teaching methods are losing their effectiveness against the background of bright and dynamic entertainment that is available literally at every step. In the face of constant competition for children's attention, it is important to find new approaches that will help maintain their interest in knowledge and their desire to learn. In this article, we'll look at an unusual motivating strategy that came to us from Japan.

And if you want your child to discover the world of IT technologies, welcome to Progkids!

What is shu-ha-ri

Shu-ha-ri is a philosophical concept rooted in Japanese martial arts. The word itself describes three stages of learning from beginner to master:

#1 — Shu

At this stage, the student follows traditions and rules, learning the basics under the guidance of a mentor.

#2 — Ha

Students begin to depart from strict rules, experimenting and adapting knowledge to their needs.

#3 — Ri

The final stage, where the student reaches a level of skill and can create their own techniques.

Shu-ha-ri principles

Versatility of use

Although shu-hari was originally used in martial arts, this philosophy can be used in any field of study, including IT, art, science, and business.

Supporting innovation

The “Ha” stage encourages innovation and creativity, allowing students to adapt traditional methods to new conditions.

The development of independence

The shu-hari concept helps students develop confidence in their abilities as they move from stage to stage.

The philosophy of lifelong learning

Even after reaching the “Ri” level, the learning process does not end. Masters continue to learn and improve throughout their lives.

Shu-ha-ri and child education

This is how the shu-ha-ri stages are can be useful in teaching a child:

Shu — Following the rules

At this stage, the child learns the basics of a subject or skill under the guidance of a teacher. Mastering basic principles and techniques is a prerequisite that must be met before moving on to more complex tasks.

Ha (Ha) — Breaking the rules

At this stage, the child can try new approaches to problem solving, explore alternative methods, and develop critical thinking. This contributes to an in-depth understanding of the material and the development of creative abilities.

Ri — Separation from the rules

Here, the child becomes independent in his learning, using the knowledge gained to solve new unique problems. This is the culmination of the learning process, where a true understanding of the subject and self-confidence develop.

Shu-ha-ri and programming

In programming, these principles can be applied as follows:

I'm studying the basis

At this stage, the programmer learns the basic concepts and techniques of programming: language syntax, algorithms, and data structures. A beginner follows established coding standards and uses proven patterns.

I'm breaking the rules

After mastering the basics, the programmer begins to experiment with different approaches, adapting them to specific tasks. For example, he can optimize the code as he sees fit or use alternative libraries. At this stage, the specialist begins to understand when to move away from standard practices to achieve better results.

I'm creating a new IT reality

A programmer reaches a level of proficiency where he is able to develop his own methods and approaches to solving problems. Thus, he can share his discoveries and innovations with others by participating in the development of open-source projects or speaking at conferences.

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